Rob Whalen: Why It's Time to Rethink Paid Leave

In a byline piece for ERE, PTO Exchange CEO Rob Whalen makes the case that PTO policies are overdue for a fundamental rethink. The article draws on findings from PTO Exchange's own research collaboration with Lighthouse Research, which set out to understand how, and how often, employees actually use their accrued time off.

The numbers tell a clear story: only 40% of employees use all their PTO in a given year, and usage dropped even further during the early pandemic years. That gap creates real risk on both sides. Employees leave earned value on the table, while employers face growing balance-sheet liabilities and the risk of losing people who feel boxed in by rigid, outdated policies.

Whalen argues this isn't just a problem to manage, it's an opportunity. Companies that give employees real flexibility in how they use accrued PTO signal that they're paying attention to what people actually need, which strengthens retention, morale, and trust in the process.

Read Rob's full breakdown on ERE: Why It's Time to Rethink Paid Leave.

Learn more today on how PTO Exchange can help your employees access their unused vacation safely and responsibly.