PTO policy examples are useful because the policy is a set of choices, and seeing the choices written plainly is how an employer makes them. How PTO accrues and from when. How it is requested and approved, and how far ahead. What carries over at year end and what is lost. Whether unused PTO is paid out on exit, which some states require. And the line that PTO hours are paid but do not count towards the forty hours worked that owe overtime, on the DOL rule cited below. The employee handbook template on this site prints the policy from your choices, free.
Accrual
Per pay period from the start date, or granted in a block at the start of the year, or after a waiting period; the rate the employer sets. The example policy states the method and the figure in the employer's own words, and the template prints them; no figure is supplied here.
Request and approval
Requested in the system or on the form the policy names, a stated number of days ahead for planned leave, approved by the manager by role, with how conflicts between requests are resolved. The line most disputes are about.
Carryover and payout
What carries into the next year, up to what cap, and what is lost; whether accrued unused PTO is paid on exit, which is the employer's choice unless the state requires it, in which case the policy says so. The termination letter refers to this section.
PTO and overtime
PTO, holiday and sick hours are paid at the regular rate and do not count towards the forty hours worked in the workweek under the federal rule, unless a state rule or the employer's policy says otherwise. The PTO and overtime calculator on this site shows it; HeadcountDesk Pro keeps the policy version with each acknowledgment. From the vendors' own pricing pages, cited below: Homebase lists its Essentials plan at $30 per location per month billed monthly or $24 billed annually, with unlimited employees, and a Basic plan at $0 for one location with up to 10 employees; BambooHR starts at $10 per employee per month for Core and $17 for Pro; Deputy's Core plan is $6.50 per user per month. HeadcountDesk Pro is $24 per month per location.
Questions people ask about pto policy examples
Should PTO be one bank or separate vacation and sick?
The employer's choice, unless state sick leave rules require a separate accrual; the policy says which.
Can PTO be denied?
The policy says on what grounds, and it should say so before the first request.
Is the template free?
Yes, without an account.