Workers are too afraid of layoffs to take PTO

"It's not paranoia; it's being pragmatic. They're looking around and trying to figure out, 'What could potentially put me at risk?' And they're saying, 'I'm going to try and avoid taking PTO if I think it's going to put me in harm's way.' It just illustrates the amount of uncertainty and that instability that so many feel right now when it comes to their job security."

"According to a new survey conducted by outplacement services provider Careerminds, 17.5% of American workers worry that using their PTO will make them more vulnerable to layoffs, and an equal proportion believe it will negatively impact performance reviews or promotion opportunities. Some employers, though, seem to be reinforcing the notion that using vacation days is frowned upon, with more than 10% of employees saying their workplace culture discourages taking PTO."

During spring break and summer vacation season, many American workers are forgoing their paid time off due to concerns about job security. A Careerminds survey reveals that 17.5% of workers fear using PTO will increase layoff vulnerability, while an equal percentage worry it will negatively affect performance reviews or promotions. Career experts argue this concern is unfounded and counterproductive. Additionally, over 10% of employees report their workplace culture actively discourages taking vacation days. Hybrid workers and younger employees show the lowest PTO usage rates, with fewer than 20% of hybrid workers consistently using their allotted time off compared to 43% of remote workers and 30% of in-office workers.

Read at Fast Company