I recently overheard a conversation that perfectly captures a toxic workplace mentality many of us have either witnessed or participated in. One employee mentioned pushing a meeting because they were taking PTO, only to be met with passive-aggressive comments about how they “always” take vacation time. The other employee then proudly proclaimed not taking time off in two years, wearing burnout like a badge of honor.
This exchange highlights a dangerous mindset that’s become normalized in many workplaces. We’ve created a culture where overworking is celebrated and taking earned time off is somehow viewed as a character flaw.
The Martyrdom Complex
The employee who boasted about not taking PTO in two years and never taking sick days wasn’t just sharing information—they were positioning themselves as a workplace martyr. “This place would implode without me” reveals a concerning self-perception that’s both unhealthy for the individual and toxic for workplace culture.
I’ve seen this behavior countless times, and I’ve even caught myself falling into this trap. We convince ourselves that our constant presence is essential, that taking time away would somehow prove we’re less committed than our colleagues.
“I’m on, like, a million projects. This place would implode without me. I’ve never even taken a sick day.”
This mindset isn’t dedication—it’s a recipe for burnout. No one should wear exhaustion as a status symbol. When we glorify overwork, we normalize unhealthy boundaries and set impossible standards for ourselves and others.
The Reality of PTO
Paid time off isn’t a luxury or a perk—it’s compensation you’ve earned. Companies offer PTO because:
- Rest improves productivity and creativity when you return
- Taking breaks prevents burnout and reduces turnover
- Time away provides perspective and can lead to innovative solutions
- Mental health benefits translate to better physical health and fewer sick days
When someone says they’re “too busy” to take time off, what they’re really saying is they haven’t learned to prioritize their wellbeing or create systems that allow them to step away.
The person in this conversation who regularly takes vacation time isn’t less committed—they’re demonstrating healthy boundaries and self-care. Their simple “Oh, that sucks” response to their colleague’s martyrdom shows they recognize the unhealthy dynamic without feeding into it.
Breaking the Cycle
We need to stop treating rest as a weakness. Taking your earned time off doesn’t make you less dedicated—it makes you sustainable. No one benefits when you work yourself to exhaustion, least of all you.
The next time you catch yourself or others humble-bragging about overwork, challenge that narrative. Some ways to shift this culture include:
- Leading by example – Take your PTO unapologetically and talk about its benefits
- Avoiding vacation-shaming – Never make comments about colleagues “always being on vacation”
- Creating systems – Document your work so others can handle things in your absence
The workplace will not, in fact, implode without any single person. If it would, that points to serious organizational issues that need addressing—not a reason to avoid taking time off.
Remember that conversation I mentioned? It ended with a simple “Cool. So Wednesday.” That’s exactly the right response to workplace martyrdom—acknowledgment without reinforcement. The person taking PTO refused to apologize for using their earned benefits.
We should all adopt this mindset. Take your vacation. Use your sick days when needed. Set boundaries around your time and energy. Your future self will thank you, and you’ll likely find that not only does the workplace survive in your absence—you return as a better, more engaged employee.
The next time someone tries to make you feel guilty for taking time off, remember: rest isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. And no one ever reached the end of their life wishing they’d spent more time at the office.