The SimplyPTO blog

Time off, done right.

Guides, templates, and playbooks on PTO accruals, policies, approvals, and the rest of small-business HR — written to be genuinely useful.

Policies & Compliance

Massachusetts PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

Massachusetts treats vacation as wages under a statute carrying mandatory treble damages. Why the penalty structure matters more than the entitlement.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Policies & Compliance

Minnesota PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time carries an 80-hour carryover ceiling, and Minneapolis and St. Paul add their own layer. How the stack works.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·4 min read
Policies & Compliance

Nevada PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

Nevada mandates paid leave for any reason, but only at 50 or more employees — and new businesses are exempt for their first two years.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Policies & Compliance

New Jersey PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

New Jersey mandates earned sick leave statewide and overrode all thirteen local ordinances. What one uniform rule changed for employers.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Policies & Compliance

Oregon PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

Oregon pairs mandated sick time with Paid Leave Oregon and unusually strict final-paycheck deadlines carrying penalty wages. Where the risk actually sits.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Templates & Tools

Free Payroll Calendar Template 2026 (Excel)

A year of pay dates driven by one start date, with weekend paydays moved earlier automatically. Free Excel download for any pay frequency.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Managing Time Off

Rolling Out PTO Software So People Actually Use It

Most PTO tool rollouts fail on adoption, not setup. The first-week sequence that gets a team off email and into the system for good.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·4 min read
Templates & Tools

Free Weekly Shift Schedule Template (Excel Rota)

A weekly rota with per-person shift counts and daily coverage totals, so you can see understaffed days before they happen. Free Excel download.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·4 min read
Templates & Tools

Free Sick Leave Tracker Template (Excel, Accrual by Hours)

Statutory sick leave accrues per hour worked, not per month. A tracker with the state ratio and caps in one place. Free Excel download.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Policies & Compliance

Texas PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

Texas mandates no paid leave at all, which makes your written policy the binding rule. Where employers get caught by their own handbook.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Policies & Compliance

Washington PTO Laws: What Employers Must Know (2026)

Washington mandates paid sick leave and funds PFML through payroll premiums, but leaves vacation entirely to your policy. Where the lines fall.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read
Templates & Tools

Free Weekly Timesheet Template (Excel) — With Overtime

A weekly timesheet that calculates hours and pay automatically, handles overnight shifts, and does not break at midnight. Free Excel download.

The SimplyPTO Team·Aug 10, 2026·5 min read

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