Forced PTO?

Ok, so not really forced.

But did you know that "back in the day" (whatever that means), bankers needed to take five consecutive days off of work? At some places it was even up to two weeks!

I noticed in my company policy/employee handbook that our policy mentioned taking at least one block of PTO of five or more days.

I asked casually during one of our team meetings and I was told that because due to potential embezzlement or fraud, being out of the office would allow people to notice or allow something to show up? Or if there's suspicion, it would allow higher ups to investigate. 

Or something.

I just realized that I'm already a quarter through the year and haven't utilized ANY of my PTO.

And people. It DOUBLED from my last place of employment.

And I can only roll over five days and they have to be used within the first quarter of the following year. 

We are absolutely encouraged to take the time. It's considered our compensation and yes, I believe we all deserve it. It's taken me almost 20 years to realize this...but alas, I'm glad I've arrived at the "it's my compensation" mentality. 

But dang, I'm a little surprised at how hard it'll be to actually use these days! 

Unless we have actual plans to go on an actual vacation...I can't think of using that many days.

So today I went ahead and requested a bunch of days off just to get them on the calendar. With taking more than a week off during the summer, tacking on two days for Memorial Day, taking the entire week between Christmas and New Years, plus a few random days, I'm still left with like 15 days. LOL. Like what? 

How am I supposed to use all those days? 

I mean, don't twist my arm, I'll fucking use those days. I'll find something to do. 

How nice though right? Like...I don't have to "save" them for things that might pop up. 

And again, because we're fully remote - I can legit work from anywhere. Working from Florida next week. 

So even if I'm on vacation and want to log some hours, I'm totally able to do that. And with the sheer volume of work, it's totally possible.

Not to mention the 11 bank holidays we get. 

This corporate life. I can get used to it.