This page is a sample article created to demonstrate structure, tone, and instructional clarity. It is not part of the public navigation of this site.
PTO Accrual and Balance Reference
Acme Internal Help Center | Human Resources
Acme's paid time off (PTO) program provides eligible employees with accrued time for vacation, personal needs, and short-term illness. This article explains how PTO accrues, how balances are tracked, and how carryover rules work.
For instructions on submitting a PTO request, see Request Time Off in Workday.
Who this applies to
This article applies to full-time, salaried employees in the United States. Part-time, hourly, and contract employees should refer to their employment agreement or contact HR directly.
How PTO accrues
PTO accrues on a per-pay-period basis. Your accrual rate is determined by your tenure tier, calculated from your hire date.
| Tenure | Annual PTO | Per biweekly pay period |
|---|---|---|
| Years 1–2 | 10 days (80 hours) | 3.08 hours |
| Years 3–5 | 15 days (120 hours) | 4.62 hours |
| Year 6 and beyond | 20 days (160 hours) | 6.15 hours |
Accrual begins on your first day of employment. PTO is available to use as it accrues; there is no waiting period.
Your tenure tier updates automatically in Workday on the anniversary of your hire date.
Accrual cap
Your PTO balance cannot exceed 200 hours. Once your balance reaches 200 hours, accrual pauses until your balance drops below that threshold. Accrual resumes automatically in the next pay period after your balance falls below the cap.
Tip: If you are approaching the cap, consider scheduling time off to avoid losing accrual.
Carryover and the rollover window
At the end of each calendar year, up to 40 hours of unused PTO carries over into the new year. Hours above that threshold are forfeited on December 31.
Carried-over hours must be used by March 31 of the new year. Any carried-over hours remaining after March 31 are forfeited.
- Example: You end the year with 56 hours of PTO. 40 hours carry over on January 1. You must use those 40 hours by March 31, or they will be forfeited. Your regular accrual continues unaffected throughout this period.
Where to view your balance
Your current PTO balance and accrual history are available in Workday under Time Off > Balances. Balances reflect accruals and approved time off through the most recently processed pay period.