2005 Survey Of Traditional Time Off
And PTO Program Practices

This national survey report gives you everything you need to benchmark your time off policies. You will learn how over 700 organizations responded to over 25 key paid time off questions like:

• How much time off is given for PTO leave banks, vacations, holidays, paid sick leave, personal time, etc.?
• Can implementing a PTO leave bank reduce absenteeism?
• Can employees borrow, carry over, cash out...how much and when?
• Is unused vacation/PTO paid upon termination?
• Is sick leave included in your PTO bank or is it tracked separately?
• When do employees acquire the time they can use to take days off?
• What's the biggest problem pinpointed by PTO practitioners?
• What are the benefits of switching to PTO?

This valuable report contains valuable guidance you can use immediately to:

reduce the amount of administration time you have to spend calculating vacation and sick time
effectively convert to a PTO system
put a steel grip on your top talent by ensuring you stack up against your competitors when it comes to paid time off

READERS GET ON THE SOAPBOX

Here's what readers had to say in response to last month's issue on:
HOW'S THIS FOR A WORKPLACE ISSUE?.

• The only problem I have had is when I told our office employees that they had to wear closed-toe shoes when going out into the production area.  When one lady told me the only shoes she had were sandals, I told her when I saw her wearing them in the snow I would grant her an exception.  She changed her mind!

• Many objections to bare midriffs, cleavage, low-rise pants, etc., as well as the open toes, flip-flops — Is there a safety issue here? 

• While my own agency does not have a policy about the type of shoe an employee wears, my 18-year-old daughter works for a chain of photo shops that does have such a policy. She must wear closed-toe shoes. Since she works behind a counter, I don't get it. And it's hard enough to take her shopping without all this angst about toes showing. What about the latest fashion of footwear that looks a lot like bedroom slippers? But if you really want me to flip out — let's talk about tattoos!!!

• We have a policy saying you must wear appropriate hosiery and closed-toe shoes. I wish it said closed-heel shoes, too. Many heels are just plain nasty. We are a large county hospital and infection may be lurking nearer than you think.

• Not really about work, but you may have noticed that a common suggestion for dress code problems is a box of clothes from Goodwill. Someone comes in dressed inappropriately, pull out a muumuu or ugly outfit for them to wear instead.

  Well, it seems our local high school has gotten the message. Boys who show up with droopy drawers are given a belt to wear. Girls in too-short shorts or skirts get to wear bright green tights, and students in unacceptable tops are handed bright orange t-shirts to cover up with.

  As a bonus, one of the chores assigned for detention is taking the previous day's 'loaners' to the Home-Ec room and doing laundry. I like it!

Note: Responses may have been edited for clarity and length.

Review past issues of HR Soapbox here.

1.
HR Professionals' Toolkit

This CD-ROM gives you quick yet comprehensive solutions to the toughest HR questions and problems you field every day on topics like: performance appraisals, sexual harassment, discipline, conducting legal background checks, legal pay practices, complying with the Family and Medical Leave Act, overcoming workplace negativity...and more. No matter what urgent problem suddenly lands on your desk, you'll never be blindsided when you have this valuable resource at your fingertips.

3.
The Complete Policy Handbook

Shows you how to safeguard against the damage that loopholes in your employee handbook can cause. You'll get a CD-ROM containing a complete set of ready-to-print policies for a foolproof manual of your own...policies that have stood up to courtroom challenges...with language that has worked in defending other employers.

4.
Employer's Guide To Record-Keeping Requirements

Covers all the records, files, and documents demands made on employers by state and federal laws and agencies; as well as what you must post on company property to stay on the right side of employment laws.

5.
Employee Problem Solver

Gives you a solid mix of practical advice seasoned with legal experience for attacking the problem, not the personality, in difficult situations that you and your managers face every day. Each general problem area is designed to offer immediate practical steps for preventing, attacking, and solving tough personnel problems.