Am I the only one feeling like this isn’t right?
I work as an adjuster at a company that offers unlimited PTO, yet I hardly ever take time off because I don’t have adequate support for my workload. Other adjusters have backup to handle their claims, but when I take PTO, I come back to a mountain of new claims, making the return more stressful than if I had just kept working.
Some time ago, I took a full week off, and although another adjuster was supposed to cover for me, they only managed a few of my claims. I ended up having to take back some because they were deemed “too complex” for them. So, even when I do take time off, it’s clear I’ll return to chaos, which defeats the purpose of taking a break.
My boss isn’t supportive of taking time off at all. He’s aware that I worked three months straight without a single day off, including holidays and weekends, yet he’s never commented on it. When I express how overwhelming it is to come back from PTO, he just brushes it off. He often points out that my claim count is below company standards, implying I should be handling almost double. However, the company’s current expectations require extensive thoroughness for each claim—detailed coverage reviews, thorough valuation confirmations, and constant documentation. In the past, I could work more efficiently, but with the heightened demands, my lower claim count doesn’t reflect a lack of productivity but rather the increased workload per claim.
I feel trapped in a situation where taking PTO feels like a liability rather than a benefit. My boss knows I’ll complete my work, even if it means putting in extra hours. Is this a common experience, or is this a genuine problem? Has anyone else faced something similar?
It definitely sounds like you’re in a tough situation, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed and frustrated. While unlimited PTO can be a great benefit, it loses its value when there’s no support system in place to make it feasible to actually take that time off without repercussions.
Your experience of returning to a mountain of work, especially when paired with the added complexity of your claims, suggests that your workload isn’t managed in a sustainable way. It’s concerning that your boss isn’t encouraging you to take time off, especially considering how much you’re working. This lack of support can lead to burnout over time, which is not only detrimental to your health but can also affect your performance in the long run.
It sounds like there may be some systemic issues at play within your team or organization. Other adjusters having coverage while they’re out indicates that it’s possible to create a more supportive environment, but it seems like your situation is being overlooked.
You might want to consider addressing this more formally with your management. It could be helpful to document your workload, and the impact of not having support when you do take PTO, to present a clear case for why changes need to be made. Expressing your concerns might not only benefit you but could also lead to a better work environment for your colleagues in the long run.
Ultimately, you deserve to take time off without coming back to a chaotic situation, and it’s important for your well-being to have a work-life balance. You’re not alone in feeling this way—many people face similar challenges in workplaces with unlimited PTO policies, and advocating for change could be a positive step forward.