During a job interview, inquire about the workplace's policy on taking PTO.

It can be challenging to determine if a potential employer truly values work-life balance until it's too late.

Meredith Simmons, a marketing specialist, once took a job with a company that offered unlimited paid time off.

She was hired as a remote worker but was later asked to relocate to the Indiana office. She took a few days off for the drive, but was interrupted en route when her boss told her she needed to join a meeting immediately, even though she was only off for five or six days.

Simmons didn't feel comfortable taking time off after her mother-in-law died, so she responded to coworker messages during the funeral. This experience made her consider leaving her job, which she did six months later because she felt like she wasn't getting what she needed to take care of herself.

Simmons stated that the disconnect occurred because although the company had an official unlimited PTO policy, there was no formalized system for requesting or tracking time off, and the rules were unclear.

Experts suggest that vacation policies are ineffective if they are not transparent, clearly communicated, and demonstrated by bosses who take time off.

Before joining a company, you can assess its PTO culture through various means.

During the hiring process, Simmons advises job-seekers to inquire about PTO and assess the company's genuine commitment to it.

"According to Simmons, the best way to assess a person's work-life balance is to ask them about their last vacation. If they don't have a good answer, it suggests they don't prioritize time off. If they don't seem enthusiastic about their vacation, it may have been stressful. And if they don't have an answer at all, it's a red flag."

Simmons was offered a new job and had to begin work on a specific date because her new manager was going on vacation for several weeks, and the recruiter wanted to ensure she had ample time to inquire about the position beforehand.

"Simmons thought to himself, "Is this real? The recruiter knows that my future manager is going on vacation." He was surprised when his manager actually went on vacation for three weeks and was completely offline. Simmons was impressed and thought, "This is legitimate. This is great.""

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