A Gen Z manager took to social media to reveal the reason for rejecting time-off requests, stunning workers.
Gen Z Manager’s Unique PTO Policy Gains Attention Online
Elizabeth Beggs, a Gen Z manager from Virginia, has been receiving widespread praise for her unconventional approach to time-off requests. Instead of allowing employees to use their paid time off (PTO) for medical emergencies or personal crises, she believes that these situations should not count against their PTO balance. According to her, employees deserve to save their paid leave for vacations and leisure rather than life-changing events beyond their control.
Her TikTok video explaining this unique policy has gone viral, amassing over 4.4 million views. Beggs emphasizes that her team only requests time off when absolutely necessary. Rather than deducting from their PTO balance, she chooses to support them through challenging times.
How This Gen Z Manager Supports Employees in Her Own Way
As a manager at a package distribution company, Beggs oversees a diverse team of five employees between the ages of 22 and 36. Understanding that each employee has unique needs, she embraces a “servant leadership” approach. She strongly believes that if something matters to her employees, then it should matter to her as well.
One notable instance involved an employee who texted her, worried that they were experiencing a miscarriage. They asked how to request time off. Instead of following standard policy, Beggs immediately replied, “Go see a doctor, we’re not submitting time off for this!” In another case, she refused to deduct PTO for an employee whose child was hospitalized with a serious breathing problem. She also granted a half-day off—without PTO deduction—to an employee who wanted to celebrate their wedding anniversary, recognizing the importance of maintaining personal relationships.
Kindness Shouldn’t Be Mistaken for Weakness
While Beggs is compassionate, she makes it clear that she does not tolerate abuse of trust. “If you take advantage of my trust, it will be gone,” she firmly stated. She believes there is a major distinction between being a leader and simply being a manager. Leaders, in her view, prioritize employee well-being while ensuring productivity remains high.
Her approach has sparked widespread support on TikTok. Many users agree that when managers genuinely care about their employees, those employees, in turn, are more motivated and committed to their work. The overwhelming response suggests that many workers appreciate leadership that values work-life balance over rigid policies.