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Ha, this reminds me of a very similar practice I used to engage in with a few buddies when we started work. It was always fun to try to figure out how to optimi

by lumb63 2y ago

Ha, this reminds me of a very similar practice I used to engage in with a few buddies when we started work. It was always fun to try to figure out how to optimize the PTO to get the “most days per day”. Nowadays, I find that the best time to take PTO is when I feel like taking PTO. Taking a long weekend when I’m feeling burnt out or disengaged goes much further for me than grinding for the entire first half of th year to get a week off for 4th of July. YMMV.

Frost1x 2y ago
Depending on your role and environment, certain days are also have more value in my eyes than others. For example, people tend not to push heavy stressful and potentially disaster risk processes on Fridays. They either do these on weird off hours for their target user base at large scales or Mondays in general. Fridays where I’m at tend to be “easier” days people intentionally try to make so for a gentle transition into the weekend. As such, taking off Fridays tends to get me less ROI while Mondays tends to be nice because while everyone deals with problems from the last week head on, I can roll in on a Tuesday with the benefit of their insights and progress. Then there’s the fact even if I’m off on Friday people I socialize with are likely still working anyways so… it could be any day for myself.
- bombcar 2y ago
  This is key - taking the week between Christmas and New Year's often maximizes PTO days, but everyone does that so that week is quiet, simple, and you can put your head down and get some real work done.
  - madcaptenor 2y ago
    I wish I could do that but I have little kids. But we have generous PTO that expires at the end of the year, so everyone takes off lots of time in December... even by December 1 things are getting quiet.
fullstackchris 2y ago
Agreed, in Switzerland this idea of "stretching" is common but I find it stupid. Weather going to be bad? Doesnt matter, I can stretch my total time off 3 days more!!! Total off season to where I am traveling to? Doesnt matter, I get that single extra "bridge" day! Man so cringe. I don't know, seems much easier that if you dont want to work then don't! I mean the tool OP posted recommended 2 weeks off at the end of March into April on the easter holiday (because of the friday and monday holiday)... who is honestly doing that? This topic has always rubbed me the wrong way I think because its way too closely tied to the whole workaday / "work sucks" / ratrace / 9-5 mentality. One other thing as I continue my rant, related, the whole "plan your holidays for the next year so we can figure out the resource planning, even if you move your holiday!" Ugh so depressing, I always am like "welp next year is planned already and its only November". Nothing spontaneous, nothing interesting. Anyway, I realize also I am likely in the minority here, HN folks will do anything for a "hack".
- jagermo 2y ago
  >>I mean the tool OP posted recommended 2 weeks off at the end of March into April on the easter holiday (because of the friday and monday holiday)... who is honestly doing that? sad parents tied to school holidays noises.
  - kleiba 2y ago
    Sorry, I don't understand - why wouldn't you do that?
    - Freak_NL 2y ago
      Parent (heh) means they have no choice but to plan their holidays during the days off in the school roster. Tools like these are pretty much pointless if you can take a day off from work, but your kid is required to show up in school.
      - Winse 2y ago
        When I had younger children, we would just pull them from school on occasion. This did require a bit coordinating with homework, teachers etc, but they don't have to be in school. On a more serious note, schools are there to serve you, be assertive about your children being yours, they do not belong to the state (at least in the USA).
MoreQARespect 2y ago
Most days per day also probably means that you're maximizing the amount you spend on travel and the pain you experience. It's not cheap or pleasant traveling around July 4th.
dfxm12 2y ago
It's important to take off a day when you're feeling burnt out, but for some, I think it's also important to plan ahead a little bit to see the "most days per day" where you, your kids, your partner, etc. will all have off together.
ericmcer 2y ago
Exactly! I will throw a day off a few weeks away so that I have something to look forward to. When it actually arrives sometimes I don't even care anymore, but it is a great morale booster in the moment. A few three day weekend can be so much more impactful than having 9 days off instead of 5ish. Looking at the calendar and seeing the next holiday is 6+ weeks away can really drag you down.

by lumb63 2y ago

Frost1x 2y ago

Depending on your role and environment, certain days are also have more value in my eyes than others. For example, people tend not to push heavy stressful and potentially disaster risk processes on Fridays. They either do these on weird off hours for their target user base at large scales or Mondays in general. Fridays where I’m at tend to be “easier” days people intentionally try to make so for a gentle transition into the weekend. As such, taking off Fridays tends to get me less ROI while Mondays tends to be nice because while everyone deals with problems from the last week head on, I can roll in on a Tuesday with the benefit of their insights and progress. Then there’s the fact even if I’m off on Friday people I socialize with are likely still working anyways so… it could be any day for myself.

bombcar 2y ago
This is key - taking the week between Christmas and New Year's often maximizes PTO days, but everyone does that so that week is quiet, simple, and you can put your head down and get some real work done.
- madcaptenor 2y ago
  I wish I could do that but I have little kids. But we have generous PTO that expires at the end of the year, so everyone takes off lots of time in December... even by December 1 things are getting quiet.

fullstackchris 2y ago

Agreed, in Switzerland this idea of "stretching" is common but I find it stupid. Weather going to be bad? Doesnt matter, I can stretch my total time off 3 days more!!! Total off season to where I am traveling to? Doesnt matter, I get that single extra "bridge" day! Man so cringe. I don't know, seems much easier that if you dont want to work then don't! I mean the tool OP posted recommended 2 weeks off at the end of March into April on the easter holiday (because of the friday and monday holiday)... who is honestly doing that? This topic has always rubbed me the wrong way I think because its way too closely tied to the whole workaday / "work sucks" / ratrace / 9-5 mentality. One other thing as I continue my rant, related, the whole "plan your holidays for the next year so we can figure out the resource planning, even if you move your holiday!" Ugh so depressing, I always am like "welp next year is planned already and its only November". Nothing spontaneous, nothing interesting. Anyway, I realize also I am likely in the minority here, HN folks will do anything for a "hack".

jagermo 2y ago
>>I mean the tool OP posted recommended 2 weeks off at the end of March into April on the easter holiday (because of the friday and monday holiday)... who is honestly doing that? sad parents tied to school holidays noises.
- kleiba 2y ago
  Sorry, I don't understand - why wouldn't you do that?
  - Freak_NL 2y ago
    Parent (heh) means they have no choice but to plan their holidays during the days off in the school roster. Tools like these are pretty much pointless if you can take a day off from work, but your kid is required to show up in school.
    - Winse 2y ago
      When I had younger children, we would just pull them from school on occasion. This did require a bit coordinating with homework, teachers etc, but they don't have to be in school. On a more serious note, schools are there to serve you, be assertive about your children being yours, they do not belong to the state (at least in the USA).

MoreQARespect 2y ago

Most days per day also probably means that you're maximizing the amount you spend on travel and the pain you experience. It's not cheap or pleasant traveling around July 4th.

dfxm12 2y ago

It's important to take off a day when you're feeling burnt out, but for some, I think it's also important to plan ahead a little bit to see the "most days per day" where you, your kids, your partner, etc. will all have off together.

ericmcer 2y ago

Exactly! I will throw a day off a few weeks away so that I have something to look forward to. When it actually arrives sometimes I don't even care anymore, but it is a great morale booster in the moment. A few three day weekend can be so much more impactful than having 9 days off instead of 5ish. Looking at the calendar and seeing the next holiday is 6+ weeks away can really drag you down.