'I would be giving up $1,200 in PTO': Guy conceals his resignation so that he can cash out $1,200 in PTO, causing controversy at the Thanksgiving dinner table

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Dec 1, 2023 10:00 AM EST

When you're little, the difference between 'right' and 'wrong' is usually pretty clear. Stealing your friend's toy is wrong, but returning it to them is the right thing to do. Helping your little sister with her math homework is good, but pulling her hair when she gets the incorrect answer is bad. However, playground rules don't apply when you're an adult and every black-and-white decision becomes muddled in a sea of grey. Even more-so in the workplace, there's a fine line between doing the right thing for your company and doing the right thing for yourself. 

Because when it comes to money matters, there's no right or wrong, only cold, hard cash. 

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  • 01
    "What a bunch of hypocrites" 02546790 100
    via u/canva

  • In our next story, one employee causes a big stink at the Thanksgiving dinner table over a workplace decision. With choices that are never clearly right or wrong, it leaves us all wondering what we would do in the same situation. After getting a swanky new job, OP was given two weeks to notify his old employer, but decided against it so that he can cash out the $1,200 in PTO left over in his account.

  • Would you do the ‘honorable’ thing and tell your workplace you're leaving? Or would you take the money and run? Scroll onward to read more details of this gregarious decision and the family turmoil it caused over the Thanksgiving turkey and you can decide who's in the wrong here…

  • 02
    r/antiwork. Posted by u/Poolofcheddar 22 hours ago People insist on giving notice. I'd forfeit $1,200 in PTO if I did. So my new job has finally confirmed my start date, but I pointed out during Thanksgiving
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 03
    conversation that I haven't told my current employer that I'm on my way out yet because it was still unofficial at the time. People (especially older family members) are all up in arms that I haven't given my two weeks. I've been told: "I'll be doing the right thing so they can prepare."
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 04
    "It's a formality and you don't want to burn bridges." I try to counter with the fact that when my old manager resigned earlier this year, they showed him the door on the very same day.
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 05
    There was no drawn-out goodbye period. He was gone ASAP, which I can understand because our team deals with sensitive data that they want to keep secured. But I've still been told by family members that I'm being dishonest in not informing them.
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 06
    Then I add the little cherry on top: they do not pay out PTO upon leaving, and won't comp you for the two weeks you intended to give from your PTO. I would give up $1,200 in PTO that I'm attempting to bleed off in the meantime. So would you give up $1,200 to do the right thing even though they won't?
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 07
    Crickets after I proposed that question. Not one of them were willing to admit out loud that they would do it, but considering their previous conversation about grocery prices and politics - they would absolutely take $1,200 to not "do the right thing." Or they will say they wouldn't, and then privately do it.
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 08
    What a bunch of hypocrites. And what a system where you can earn PTO but not have the obligation to receive it in many states if you leave your job.
    via u/Poolofcheddar
  • 09
    zingingcutie35- 22 hr. ago I've known older people with the same mentality. But I don't see why we owe these companies loyalty and notice when we don't get the same in return. I've been through layoffs a few times where people are just walked out immediately with no severance or any time to process or prepare. Why should we lose out on PTO we've earned to be loyal to a company that doesn't care for us?
    via u/zingingcutie35
  • 10
    neliagold 21 hr. ago The concept of employers not being required to pay out earned PTO is truly mind-boggling. PTO is a fundamental component of the overall compensation package, and not honoring it feels like a form of wage theft. It's disheartening when hard-earned benefits are treated as dispensable.
    via u/neliagold
  • 11
    YepperyYepstein - 22 hr. ago Because of at-will, employers will absolutely not extend you a notice of any kind. Why should you be expected to? Treat your employer with the equal amount of respect they would treat you. If they terminate without notice, leave without one. You are under no obligation to do the "right thing" when you are playing in a capitalist system.
    via u/YepperyYepstein
  • 12
    Syscrush 21 hr. ago This whole idea of employers not being obligated to pay out PTO to people who have earned it is absolutely insane to me. PTO is a tangible part of your total comp package - stealing it is wage theft.
    via u/Syscrush
  • 13
    seymoursharkteeth - 22 hr. ago Take the money and run. 118 Reply Share dsdvbguutres 21 hr. ago It's just business.
    via u/seymoursharkteeth
  • 14
    Digita1B0y 22 hr. ago "they'll have time to prepare!" ? Not my Uhhh.....who gives a problem anymore? Are you guys my family or my soon to be former employers? Ffs. NEVER take career advice from older family members. They did NOT grow up in the same America we did, and they refuse to believe it. You're doing the right thing.
    via u/Digita1B0y
  • 15
    LJski 22 hr. ago I think the general "NEVER GIVE NOTICE" advice is stupid, but I also think that you have to know your workplace. If they kick people out like you have seen - you are absolutely in the right. My favorite two week notice story is a guy who worked in the control room at work, and had his two-week notice ready to hand in - when they called him in, laid him off, and gave him a severance package, two weeks pay, and escorted him out the door. Never been a happier person to off...
    via u/LJski
  • 16
    mikemojc 21 hr. ago In most things, the aggressor sets the rules. In this case, the employer, by previous action, has defined the last day or work as the day you give notice. They have also informed current staff that already earned PTO will not be paid in this instance. Given these rules as defined by the company;
    via u/mikemojc
  • 17
    1. Use all your PTO before you give notice. 2. Do not let anyone at the company know you intend to leave. 3. Give official notice moments before you intend to separate from the company.
    via u/mikemojc
  • 18
    40stepstothemoon 21 hr. ago The burn bridges mentality is really only for specialized fields. I don't talk to anyone from my last three jobs, never asked them for anything (over 8 year span).
    via u/40stepstothemoon
  • 19
    Big_DoinksOnly - 20 hr. ago This what I scrolled down for. I figured the 2 week notice thing was for positive feedback when a future employer asks for references. Specialized fields make sense, and now that I think about, I don't think I've had a hiring manager ever ask to call about the references.
    via u/Big_DoinksOnly
  • 20
    D Nicolehall202 - 21 hr. ago Let them notice you left and notice you never came back. 19 Reply Share Striking Signature34 20 hr. ago Mmmhmm
    via u/Nicolehall202
  • 21
    MusicalMerlin1973 21 hr. ago I've always given two weeks notice. But I've never worked for a company that walked you out the door day of. If that was the policy of my workplace (official or unofficial) I'd give zero notice too.
    via u/MusicalMerline1973
  • 22
    00 Ghstfce 21 hr. ago Simple solution: Use the two weeks of PTO, come in after and give your notice. Be shown the door. Win/win.
    via u/Ghstfce

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boss employee manager great resignation work story work working vacation time PTO two week notice payback paid time off vacation
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