Have you noticed more out-of-office emails lately? Or maybe your social media feed is full of friends and colleagues living their best vacation lives? You’re not imagining it. 98% of U.S. employers offer vacation leave, and 96% provide sick leave to their employees in 2024, according to a 2024 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Many employers are also combining sick leave and vacation days into a more flexible PTO structure, allowing employees to take time off as needed without the restrictions of traditional leave categories.
It’s a trend we’re fully behind—and we believe companies like those featured here are leading the way in building a culture where taking time off isn’t just encouraged, it’s celebrated.
Vacation and time off is just one of the key categories we highlight in the 2024 VIBE Awards, which honor the companies on The Muse offering the most valuable and impactful employee benefits. The “VIBE” Awards—short for “Voted In By Employees”—combine proprietary data with real employee feedback, where workers rank the strength of their company’s perks. We recognize the best benefits in seven categories, including parental benefits, health and wellness, and more, with winners from businesses of all sizes.
Keep reading to explore the vacation and time off category and discover the companies making sure their employees can truly unplug and recharge in 2024.
Small & Medium Companies
Small Girls PR
Who they are: They are a creatively driven press influencer and events marketing agency in New York City and Los Angeles.
What employees are saying: “Our policy offers me a chance to really unplug and remove myself from my work without feeling the guilt that I'm not in the office. The team is set up to allow us to take PTO and feel confident that your coworkers are supporting you in your absence.”
GameChanger
Who they are: This technology company is a top sports app that delivers live video streaming, scorekeeping, and team communication tools to youth sports teams across the nation.
What employees are saying: “In addition to unlimited PTO (which people actually take, from the top on down) GC is generous in the federal holidays it observes, going so far as to include additional days for "family" holidays such as 4th of July and Thanksgiving by default so employees don't have to "choose". Additionally, we observe Summer Fridays where employees are encouraged to stop work at 3 on Fridays.”
Upside
Who they are: Upside is a retail technology company that provides purchasing power to consumers and incremental profit to businesses.
What employees are saying: “We have unlimited PTO, which I'm about to take advantage of by taking a 3-week honeymoon.”
HomeTap
Who they are: Hometap is a financial technology company on a mission to make homeownership more accessible and less stressful.
What employees are saying: “PTO is a priority for the culture of our org. Managers encourage employees to take more time, rather than the other way around. I have never worked somewhere where I didn't have to feel guilty for taking PTO and feel like I am doing less. We have unlimited PTO, extra PTO for bereavement, or sickness, and even volunteering. It is a very generous policy, and they actually mean it.”
Ensono
Who they are: Ensono is an expert tech advisor, innovation partner, and managed service provider. They optimize IT, evolve enterprises and innovate across hybrid environments.
What employees are saying: “Work-life balance is the thing I never stop telling people when discussing great things about Ensono. We have unlimited paid days off, several region-specific paid holidays, a sabbatical program for associates with the company 5+ years, and a generous paternity leave program.”
Trupanion
Who they are: Trupanion is an innovative insurance provider that helps cats & dogs across the world receive the best medical care.
What employees are saying: “I have never had the freedom to take time off like I have here. I choose what holidays I celebrate, I have 5 weeks every year paid with no questions asked. And I have never in my life been able to afford an extended vacation, but now at my 5th year here, we have a mandatory 5 week paid sabbatical. It'll be the first extended vacation I've ever had.”
Opendoor
Who they are: Opendoor is on a mission to empower everyone with the freedom to move by building a simple, certain and fast home buying and selling experience.
What employees are saying: “Having "unlimited" flex time off has been such a stress reliever as a parent going through my toddler's first year of school (aka new sickness every week year). In previous companies, I had to hoard all of my PTO to cover for possible illnesses, but Opendoor takes a realistic approach to time off. I can still take extra time off around holidays or for vacations, and still be able to take sick days for myself and to care for my kids without running myself ragged. Not only is it policy, but it is encouraged by management. This has greatly improved my quality of life as a working parent.”
Cornerstone OnDemand
Who they are: Cornerstone started with a simple (but bold) idea— to improve access to education on a global basis through online learning.
What employees are saying: “Extremely generous! Unlimited PTO. Normal holidays off plus additional wellbeing days (first Friday of the month during the summer) and we are encouraged to take off on birthday.”
Pariveda
Who they are: Pariveda is an employee-owned consulting company that puts our people at the heart of everything they do.
What employees are saying: “The ability to take bereavement leave on top of half-day and full-day PTO options was really helpful when I had a loved one walking through a long disease that ultimately took them. I could take PTO to spend time with them, half-PTO days to take them to appointments, and still had days off available for the funeral service planning and attendance.”
Large Companies
Autodesk
Who they are: Autodesk is a global leader in software for designers, engineers, builders, and creators, endeavoring to empower customers with the technology to create the world around us.
What employees are saying: “Unlimited PTO shows me that my employer trusts me to be an adult and get my work done while allowing me to manage the rest of my life and take time off when needed. This isn't just lip service, we are actively encouraged and supported in taking time off. PLUS, 6-weeks of paid sabbatical every 4 years of service!”
Zoom
Who they are: Zoom connects people and teams through seamless video communication and ai-driven collaboration tools, enhancing productivity globally.
What employees are saying: “Our unlimited time off policy gives me the flexibility I need to be able to take time off when I need it for rest, family, vacations, and any other commitments that come my way. I have always felt extremely supported in taking the time away I need and am trusted to make the decisions that work best for me and my family.”
Biogen
Who they are: A leading biotechnology company that pioneers innovative science to deliver new medicines to transform patient’s lives and to create value for shareholders and our communities.
What employees are saying: “In addition to generous PTO and a company shutdown between Christmas and New Year, Biogen has instituted company shutdowns for Mental Health ranging from 2-5 days over the last 4 years. It's a time when everyone is off, so I don't feel like I'm coming back to a mountain of emails.”
Visa
Who they are: Visa is a world leader in digital payments, with a vision to be the best way to pay and be paid for everyone, everywhere.
What employees are saying: “21 PTO days + paid holidays from day 1! Also the ability to work from anywhere in the world for up to 4 weeks per year is a great benefit.”
Palo Alto Networks
Who they are: Palo Alto Networks provides robust, innovative protection against cyberattacks.
What employees are saying: “With our Flexible Time Off program we technically have unlimited PTO which is wonderful and means a lot when the little hurdles of life pop up and we are able to take the time we need. Whether to take care of our children, health, or just to take some time to rest and reset.”
H&M
Who they are: H&M is a global fashion brand offering elevated products for clothing, shoes, sports, beauty, and home.