🎆 The Fireworks Are Over… Now What?

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 đźŽ† The Fireworks Are Over… Now What?


A Mid-Year Reminder to Audit Your PTO Before It Blows Up

Now that the cookouts are done, the fireworks have fizzled, and the last sparkler’s burned out, we’ve officially entered the long summer stretch—with no more federally recognized holidays until Labor Day. That’s right: It’s July, and for most businesses, this is the perfect time to take a breath and ask a few hard HR questions.

Specifically: How’s your PTO tracking holding up?

This mid-year period is often when small cracks in your Paid Time Off policies begin to show—and if you're not careful, those cracks can turn into full-blown fractures by Q4.

Let’s take a look at what might be lurking in your PTO system… and what you can do now to stay ahead of it.

đźš©Sally’s PTO Situation: A Common Red Flag

You know Sally. She’s been with the company for a while, and she’s an overall solid performer. But somehow—every year—she burns through more PTO than she actually accrues.

You’ve talked with her. She swears she understands. But this July, your audit shows she’s already taken more days than she’s earned.

Again.

Now, you’re stuck between awkward conversations and tighter schedules—because someone has to pick up the slack.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. Employees like Sally aren't trying to sabotage the system—but without clear policies, good tracking tools, and regular communication, these PTO overages can quietly spiral out of control.

🧱On the Other Side: Bob the PTO Hoarder

And then there's Bob. He’s the ultra-dedicated, never-takes-a-day guy who’s sitting on a mountain of unused PTO. He’s already been warned that your policy has a “use it or lose it” clause—but he’s still refusing to schedule time off.

“It’s just too busy,” he says. “I’ll take some time next quarter.”

But guess what? He said the same thing last year… and the year before that.

Not only does this create liability for your business, it’s also a one-way ticket to burnout. Bob’s productivity might look good on paper, but disengagement is often hiding under the surface.

🔍 The Mid-Year PTO Audit: Why It Matters

Right now is a golden opportunity to step back and actually look at your PTO usage. Don’t wait until the end of the year when the schedule is packed, people are stressed, and you’re scrambling to calculate accruals.

Ask yourself:

✅ Are your employees taking time off consistently—and within their accrual limits?
✅ Are some employees relying on manual workarounds or vague permissions to request time?
✅ Is your current PTO tracking method accurate, accessible, and up to date?
✅ Are supervisors enforcing the policy—or letting things slide “just this once”?

If you're answering "I'm not sure" more than "Yes," it’s time for a checkup.

đź› ️ How Purciarele Group Can Help

At Purciarele Group, we love digging into the details. (Yes, even PTO spreadsheets!) We help businesses:

  • Conduct mid-year PTO audits and provide clear reporting

  • Draft or refine policies to reflect your company’s true culture and compliance needs

  • Coach managers on how to handle both “Sally” and “Bob” in ways that are fair, professional, and practical

  • Ensure your year-end reporting is easy—not stressful

Final Thought

Don’t wait for November to panic about hours, overages, or underused benefits. July is the time to get it right—so you can enjoy the rest of the year knowing your house is in order.

✨ Need help with PTO tracking, policy clean-up, or a mid-year HR tune-up?

Let’s talk. Your future self will thank you.

đź“… Schedule your complimentary consultation today.
🧠 Real advice. Real compliance. Real peace of mind.

Purciarele Group
We love HR, so you don’t have to.




#HRHelp #PTOAudit #EmployeeBenefits #MidYearCheckIn #TimeOffTracking #HRAudit #SmallBusinessHR #WorkplaceWellness #ComplianceMatters #WeLoveHR #PurciareleGroup

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