I wanted to 'not get paid' instead of going negative on my PTO. (I don't like any form of 'negative' debt) I was told I couldn't do that without quitting and coming back because the benefits system was all wired up wrong. This would of course reset everything in the system.

If I had an ACA-based health insurance policy, I would be covered there, but any other benefits via the company would be canceled for the time period.

I think there needs to be a bigger push for benefits that we select and maintain ourselves with companies just contributing some sort of minimally mandated stipend related to salary level.

I value the freedom of my time over wage (salary, but still) slavery the older I get.