Which one would you prefer - a 4 day work week or unlimited PTO (paid time off)?

Question

Which one would benefit you more, and why / how?

Steven Birchall · Accepted Answer

Definitely 4 days a week.  I feel any unlimited entitlements never quite work out as you hope and sometimes you end up taking less than if you were actually given a set number.

Gina Mae Lee · Answer

4 days work week absolutely !

Answer

4 day workweek. I don't think having an unlimited PTO will benefit the company. Besides, there's plenty of time to do things other than work during the 3 days given to us.

Nuno Reis · Answer

@stevenbirchall Very true, it usually creates a fear of "should I or should I not take it" and you compare yourself more to your colleagues and the amount of days they take

Answer

Interesting debate! I prefer a 4-day work week since it sets a healthy work-life balance for everyone. Unlimited PTO sounds cool, but in reality, people might hesitate to take time off.

Peyt Spencer Dewar · Answer

4 days 32 hours or 10 hour days?

Vlad Golub · Answer

How about a hybrid approach - a 4 day work week with optional unpaid days off for those who want more time off, but also allow for flexibility in scheduling with remote work options? This can provide both work-life balance and productivity.

Dunja Klisić · Answer

4 day work week - I find that unlimited PTO is usually unlimited only on paper.

Answer

Personally, I would choose a 4 day work week over unlimited PTO because having set work hours helps me maintain a good work-life balance and stay productive.

Anson Leung · Answer

@indu_thangamuthu Yes! While I think companies should encourage using that extra day for self learning, that eventually makes you more knowledgeable and efficient at work, ultimately this is helpful for the company as well I guess

Rick Armstrong · Answer

As long as either is truly encouraged and mandated from the top down, both will work. Instead of '4 day work week' though, better to have '32-hour' so people have the flexibility to do what works best for them. Some people like to do 8 hours 4 days a week, while others prefer to spread it across 5 days. Regardless, a work-life balance must be encouraged, with an emphasis on life.

Nuno Reis · Answer

4 day work week. Make that happen every week and it's some extra 48 days you get every year (assuming you have 4 weeks PTO).
I don't think most companies with unlimited PTO would accept someone that doesn't show to work 20% of the days other people show for.

Indu Thangamuthu · Answer

Definitely 4

Vlad Golub · Answer

@joebarton44 That's a valid point, but isn't it up to the company culture and management to encourage employees to take time off without guilt or fear of falling behind? How can we create a work environment where unlimited PTO is truly valued and utilized?

Which one would you prefer - a 4 day work week or unlimited PTO (paid time off)?

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