PTO hours cannot be used until they are awarded. Field Staff Employees must notify PALS of their intent to use PTO hours at least 2 hours prior to their shift and complete a PTO request form within 24 hours of the beginning of the shift for which the PTO is being used. Failure to notify the office more than 2 hours prior to the shift will result in an automatic denial of the PTO request. Verbal communication from the Field Staff Employee is the only acceptable form of communication when requesting PTO. Failure to complete the PTO request form within 24 hours of the beginning of the shift that the PTO is used for will also result in an automatic denial of PTO.