Why Employees Cannot Disconnect From Work During PTO

LeadershipLeadership StrategiesWhy Employees Cannot Disconnect From Work During PTOByDr. Diane Hamilton,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Curiosity expert improving engagement, innovation, and productivity.Follow AuthorJun 08, 2026, 03:00am EDTWhy Employees Cannot Disconnect From Work During PTOgettyA friend of mine has so much unused PTO saved up that I joke she could probably disappear for a year and still have days left over. That may be an exaggeration, but her reaction to taking time off is very real. She has told me more than once that if she can be gone for a week or two and everything still functions normally, then maybe the company does not really need her. She sees being indispensable as proof of value, commitment, and work ethic. She is an extreme example of a workaholic, but I meet a lot of people who struggle with the same issue in smaller ways. Some employees never use their PTO at all. Others technically take PTO but spend the entire trip checking email, responding to texts, or attending meetings from hotel rooms. Many have bosses who contact them during vacation, and they feel pressure to respond immediately. Even when nobody reaches out, many people still find it incredibly difficult to disconnect from work during PTO.Why PTO Feels Risky To So Many EmployeesgettyWhy PTO Feels Risky To So Many EmployeesFor many employees, PTO no longer feels like a benefit. It feels like a test. People worry about falling behind, appearing replaceable, or missing something important while they are away. In highly competitive workplaces, there is often an unspoken belief that the most committed employees are the ones who are always available.That belief creates a strange contradiction. Companies encourage employees to take PTO because they know burnout hurts productivity and retention. At the same time, employees often see promotions, praise, and opportunities go to the people who answer emails at midnight, respond insta...