Why Workers Fail to Take Advantage of PTO Power
Updated: Sep 23
Unlocking Health, Happiness, and Productivity
I used to feel guilty about taking time off work. Perfect attendance was celebrated, and time off was seen as an indulgence. As a former educator, I had sick days that accrued. I saw this as a form of short-term disability insurance, so not taking sick days when I was sick seemed like the financially prudent thing to do. However, many employers don't allow employees to carry over PTO from one year to the next, which can be a real head-scratcher for anyone trying to understand why you wouldn’t use it.
However, academic research suggests that using your Paid Time Off (PTO) can benefit your health and happiness. Employers should also note that the same research found it increases productivity at work. For married couples, these benefits are even more amplified.
In this post, I share research findings that explain why folks don’t use their PTO, despite the many advantages of taking time off.
Why Workers Fail to Use Their PTO
A survey by the U.S. Travel Association found that the primary reason workers left vacation days unused was the fear of appearing replaceable or less dedicated to their jobs. And some might be right. Similar research suggests that a "lack of support from management" signals to employees that taking PTO is a risk.
I spoke with Dr. Malissa Clark about some of these challenges; she found in her research that a 'work martyr' culture promotes the idea that being constantly available and working long hours is a badge of honor, which can create a climate of fear and anxiety around PTO.
The Benefits of a Vacation
Boosting Health and Happiness
Surprise, surprise: a study by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that taking vacations can lower stress and reduce the risk of heart disease. Breaks are necessary to recover from the chronic stress faced by many two-income households. Other studies have found that the boost in happiness comes from anticipating the vacation and the memories you create while you’re on it.
Related Reading: Family Vacation Planning Tips for Cheap Adventures
Enhancing Productivity
Taking time off may seem counterintuitive to productivity, but research suggests otherwise. A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that employees who use all their paid time off (PTO) are more productive than those who don't because they need time to recharge.
Couples and PTO: The Happiness Boost
The benefits of using all PTO are even more significant for married couples. Clear evidence shows that shared leisure time, such as vacation, can increase marital satisfaction. This shared time leads to happier marriages by enabling quality time, effective communication, and shared experiences, which can boost overall happiness and satisfaction.
Wrapping It Up
Vacations are the antidote to chronic stress and unhappiness, and for married couples, it's a recipe for a happier relationship. So, next time you think about skipping your vacation, remember the science-backed benefits of utilizing all your PTO.
While you're on vacation, dive into past episodes of the Modern Husbands Podcast and read our newsletter.
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Citations
American Psychological Association. “How Stress Affects Your Health.” APA, 2013.
Harvard Business Review. “The Data-Driven Case for Vacation.” HBR, 2016.
Claxton, Amy, and Maureen Perry-Jenkins. “No Fun Anymore: Leisure and Marital Quality Across the Transition to Parenthood.” Journal of marriage and the family vol. 70,1 (2008): 28-43. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00459.x
The State of American Vacation: How Vacation Became A Casualty of Our Work Culture, U.S. Travel Association, June 14, 2016.
Project: Time Off. “State of American Vacation 2018.” U.S. Travel Association, 2018.
Original Post: 6/10/25
Updated Post: 9/23/26
