Topic
United States — leave guides
PTO rules in the US are unusually fragmented — federal, state, and employer-by-employer. The posts below cover statutory minimums (or the lack thereof), state laws on cashout and forfeiture, federal holidays, and the leave-strategy moves that work in a US workplace.
21 articles
Articles in this topic
- Strategy
Bereavement Leave Policies: What You're Entitled To
The US has no federal bereavement leave law, but a growing number of states do. Here's what you're actually entitled to, how it varies by employer and country, and how bereavement leave interacts with your annual PTO.
2026-08-0411 min - Strategy
The Holiday Deserts: Which Months Have the Fewest Public Holidays — and How to Spend PTO There
A data look at which calendar months have the fewest public holidays in the US and South Korea, why April, July and August are 'holiday deserts,' and the PTO strategy that turns those empty months into your cheapest long weekends.
2026-07-229 min - Travel Tips
ETIAS for US Travelers: What to Know Before Europe
A research-backed guide to ETIAS, Europe's new travel authorization for US passport holders: who needs it, the approx EUR 20 fee, who's exempt, how long it's valid, the 90/180 rule, and how it differs from a visa. Includes the rollout timeline and how to avoid scam sites. Confirm the launch date before you travel.
2026-07-199 min - Strategy
The Holiday Leverage Ratio: How Much Time Off Each Weekday Buys You
A data-driven look at the holiday leverage ratio -- how many days off each paid leave day buys you, ranked by the weekday a public holiday lands on. Includes a Korea vs. US comparison, a worked 15-day PTO example, and the exact bridge math.
2026-07-1910 min - Travel Tips
China's Visa-Free Transit for US Passport Holders: 10-Day Transit, Eligible Ports & the Rules That Trip People Up
How US passport holders can enter mainland China without a visa: the 240-hour (10-day) transit policy, the must-be-passing-through rule, eligible ports and regions, plus Hainan, cruise and Greater Bay Area options. Policy changes often, so confirm before you book.
2026-07-1710 min - Strategy
The Best Bridge Years, Ranked: 2027–2030 for Squeezing Days Off (US + Korea)
A data-driven ranking of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030 by how much time off you can build from a fixed pool of paid leave. We score each year on weekday alignment, weekend-loss, and bridge-day leverage for the US federal calendar and South Korea's holiday system.
2026-07-1610 min - Strategy
Use It or Lose It PTO: Which States Allow Forfeiture?
A state-by-state breakdown of use-it-or-lose-it PTO laws. Find out whether your employer can legally forfeit your unused vacation days and what to do about it.
2026-07-1614 min - Strategy
2030 Public Holidays: An Early Preview of the Bridge-Day Map (US + Korea)
The 2030 calendar is already fixed. Here's an early data preview of every US federal holiday and Korean public holiday for 2030, which weekdays each lands on, and where the highest-ROI bridge days will be -- so you can plan your leave before anyone else.
2026-07-1510 min - Strategy
PTO Payout When You Quit: State-by-State Rules
Do you get paid for unused PTO when you quit? It depends on your state. Here's a complete breakdown of payout laws for all 50 states plus practical advice for your leave strategy.
2026-07-1112 min - Tools
Vacation Payout Calculator: What You're Owed When You Quit, State by State
Calculate exactly what your unused PTO is worth on your final paycheck. Inputs, formulas, tax withholding, and a 50-state summary of payout requirements.
2026-06-0710 min - Travel Tips
Visa-on-Arrival vs eVisa vs Pre-Arranged: Timing Math for US Passport Holders
A 90-minute visa-on-arrival queue costs you the first evening of a 5-day trip. Here's when eVisa beats VOA, when consulate visas are unavoidable, and the actual time math by destination.
2026-06-0511 min - Strategy
Fertility Leave Laws by US State: Where Workers Have Real Protections
Federal law is mostly silent on fertility-specific leave. A handful of states have built real protections, and a different handful have built insurance mandates that change the financial math. Here is the state-by-state landscape, with citations to the underlying statutes.
2026-05-1315 min - Holiday Guide
Annual Leave in Germany: Urlaubsanspruch Explained
A complete guide to annual leave entitlements in Germany, covering the Bundesurlaubsgesetz, carry-over rules, state-by-state public holidays, and how to maximise your Urlaubsanspruch.
2026-05-0710 min - Holiday Guide
UK vs US Leave: How the Two Systems Compare
A data-driven comparison of UK and US annual leave systems, covering statutory entitlements, public holidays, sick leave, and bridging strategies for workers on both sides of the Atlantic.
2026-05-0511 min - Strategy
What BLS Data Tells Us About American PTO in 2026
A close read of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employee Benefits Survey: how PTO access, vacation days by tenure, industry, and firm size really break down for American workers in 2026.
2026-05-0112 min - Strategy
UK vs US: Who Actually Gets More Time Off?
The UK mandates 5.6 weeks. The US mandates zero. But when you factor in public holidays, weekends, and bridge potential, the gap is even bigger than you think.
2026-04-097 min - Holiday Guide
2027 Public Holidays: Start Planning Your Leave Early
The 2027 holiday calendar is already set. Here's every public holiday for the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany -- plus the best bridge opportunities to book now.
2026-04-087 min - Holiday Guide
Regional and State Holidays: The Hidden Days Off Most Workers Miss
Beyond national public holidays, many states and regions grant extra days off. From German Bundesland differences to US state holidays, here are the hidden days most workers overlook.
2026-04-087 min - Holiday Guide
When Is Every Public Holiday in 2026 and 2027? The Complete Calendar
A quick-reference guide to every major public holiday in 2026 and 2027 across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France -- with the day of the week and bridge potential for each.
2026-04-0810 min - Holiday Guide
Annual Leave Guides by Country: 2026 Edition
Country-by-country breakdown of public holidays, statutory leave entitlements, and the best bridge opportunities for 2026. Plan smarter time off no matter where you work.
2026-04-077 min - Holiday Guide
Every Long Weekend in 2026: A Month-by-Month Guide for US Workers
A complete list of every long weekend opportunity in 2026 for US workers, with the exact PTO days to take for each one.
2026-03-223 min
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