Brain cancer patient quits six-figure job after being refused ‘unlimited PTO’ for chemotherapy

A Tennessee-based media professional has said he quit his six-figure job at an advertising agency after his employer allegedly denied him paid time off during chemotherapy for brain cancer, despite having an “unlimited PTO” policy.

The claim was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Tyler Wells, who claims to be based in Knoxville, Tennessee. In his post, Wells alleged that while his company advertised unlimited paid time off on paper, he was not allowed to use it during cancer treatment.

‘Unlimited PTO’ denied during chemotherapy

According to Wells, he asked to take a small amount of paid leave each month while undergoing chemotherapy. He said the request amounted to “2–3 days a month over the course of a year”.

“I was told I couldn’t use that PTO each month while I was on chemo because that would be considered abuse of the PTO policy”. (This would have been 2-3 days a month over the course of a year.),” he wrote on X.

Instead of paid leave, Wells said he was asked to take unpaid time off under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

“Imagine telling a chemo patient they couldn’t use their ‘Unlimited’ PTO when they were feeling sick from chemo,” he added. “It happened.”

ALSO READ | CSU recruitment 2026: 43 non-teaching posts announced; check vacancies, pay levels and dates

Accommodation request also rejected, says Wells

Wells further alleged that his request for temporary workplace accommodations was also turned down.

He also added, “Additionally, my accommodation request I submitted with my doctors for a temporary lighter workload was denied by HR. They said they were not 'obligated to help'.”

He said employees dealing with serious illnesses should not have to fight for compassion at work.

He also wrote, “People who are sick are worried about so much already. We shouldn’t have to worry about paying bills.”

Calling for broader change, Wells pointed to three areas he believes need urgent reform: how workplaces treat ill employees, laws that guarantee full pay during cancer treatment, and what he described as the “over-prioritisation of work and productivity above all”.

“Some of this is policy, some of it’s just heart reform,” Wells added. “But it’s all about putting people first.”

Following these experiences, the brain cancer survivor said that he chose to resign from his high-paying job.

ALSO READ | ‘Dude at least try to sound a bit realistic’: Kriti Sanon’s ‘2,200-page PhD thesis’ scene in Tere Ishk Mein triggers meme fest

What is Unlimited PTO?

Unlimited PTO, or paid time off, is a workplace policy that does not set a fixed number of leave days, instead allowing employees to take time off as needed with managerial approval. Despite the name, such policies are rarely without limits and are often subject to employer discretion.