The most common PTO policy types are:
- Accrued PTO — employees earn days over time (per pay period, month, or hours worked)
- Front-loaded PTO — full annual allowance granted at the start of the year or on hire anniversary
- Unlimited PTO — no fixed balance; time off taken with manager approval and clear guidelines
- Separate pools — vacation, sick, and personal days tracked independently
The right type depends on team size, local laws, and how much control HR needs over liability and usage.
