Vacation: Roll Over Or Cash Out?

Many Americans have lots of vacation time saved up due to the pandemic, and could lose out if they don't take action now. NBC's Chris Pollone reports.

(NBC News) — It’s been a tough year for American workers. Between COVID related job losses, working from home while taking care of children and endless Zoom meetings, it’s hard to think of a tougher time to do business…and it might get worse in just a few weeks.

Because of the pandemic, American businesses are realizing many of their employees have lots of vacation time saved up.

For many workers paid vacation time is “use it or lose it.” If the days aren’t taken by the end of the year, they’re gone forever.

It’s another blow in a year full of them. People are working harder than ever and now face losing time and money that’s rightfully theirs.

Fortunately, there is hope for some.

“We found that many employers will actually be allowing more carry over into the next year, and some employers were actually paying that time out at the end of the year, so that they didn’t have to worry about employees having to take vacation next year,” says Amber Clayton of the Society for Human Resource Management.

Clayton says workers should know their rights and their company’s vacation policy.

If it appears you’re going to lose your paid time off, ask to get paid for it or to carry it forward so you can use it next year.

“The worst that they could say is ‘no,’ but you at least take a chance,” Clayton says.

Read more here.