Unlimited PTO vs Trust-Based PTO

Unlimited PTO sounded great... but is Trust-Based PTO a better answer? 🧐

When Unlimited PTO first came out, it was seen as a win for employees—no caps, no limits. But over time, many started to notice the cracks:

• Guilt about taking time off

• Burnout from not really disconnecting

• No payout for unused time off

Now, more companies are trying Trust-Based PTO — a more structured take where time off is encouraged and tracked, but still flexible.

• Is this a better approach than "unlimited"?

• Can we actually build a culture where people feel safe taking time away?

Curious to hear from this community: Has your team tried either model?

Let’s talk about it below.