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You just got the news: your GameStop location is on the next round of closures. You have PTO banked, your benefits premiums went up in 2026, and nobody in management seems to have clear answers about what happens to your accrued time off. This scenario has played out for thousands of GameStop employees since 2024, when the company closed 590 stores, and it continued into 2026 with roughly 296 more closures announced in January alone.

Here is what you should and should not do about your PTO right now.

The Core Problem: PTO at a Shrinking Company

GameStop’s PTO policy exists, but it operates against a backdrop of rapid contraction. The company has been closing stores at an accelerating pace, and benefits premiums increased for 2026. Employee morale is at historic lows, and reports of pressure to not use PTO have surfaced repeatedly in employee forums.

Average pay for a GameStop Game Advisor sits around $28,544 per year. At that income level, every PTO day has real financial weight, and losing unused PTO to a store closure without payout would be a significant hit.

Do This: If Your Store Is Closing

Do this: Check your PTO balance on GameStop Workday (myworkday.gamestop.com) immediately. Screenshot it. Save the screenshot somewhere outside of any GameStop system.

Do this: Check your state’s PTO payout law. States like California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, and Nebraska require employers to pay out accrued vacation at separation. If you work in one of these states, your unused PTO should appear on your final paycheck.

Do this: Use your accrued PTO before the closure date if your state does not guarantee payout. Some states allow “use it or lose it” policies, which means GameStop could theoretically not pay out your balance. Do not gamble on this.

Don’t do this: Assume that a mass closure means automatic PTO payout. Company policy and state law interact differently depending on where you work. The closure itself does not create a legal right to payout in every state.

Don’t do this: Wait for HR to reach out to you about your PTO. In a mass closure situation, individual employees often fall through the cracks. Be proactive.

Do This: If Your Store Is Still Open

Do this: Use your PTO. Employees at still-open GameStop locations report feeling pressure to not take time off because of lean staffing. Your PTO is part of your compensation. Not using it is the same as leaving money on the table.

Do this: Track your PTO accrual on each pay stub. Compare it against what Workday shows. If there is a discrepancy, raise it with your store leader or district manager.

Don’t do this: Bank PTO hoping conditions will improve. GameStop’s trajectory suggests more closures are coming. If your store closes unexpectedly, having a large unused PTO balance in a state that does not require payout puts you at risk.

Don’t do this: Assume your store is safe because it has not been on a closure list yet. GameStop has given some locations very short notice before closing.

How to Check Your PTO Balance

Log into GameStop Workday at myworkday.gamestop.com. You can also reach it through Okta SSO at gamestop.okta.com if your store uses single sign-on. Your PTO balance and accrual rate appear under the time-off section.

Pay statements and W-2s are handled through ADP at my.adp.com or w2.adp.com. Your PTO balance may also appear on your pay stub through ADP.

For login help, see the GameStop login portals guide.

Seasonal and Part-Time Workers at GameStop

GameStop hires seasonal workers for the holiday rush (roughly October through January), and these positions typically come with no PTO benefits. If you were hired as seasonal and converted to a regular position, confirm that your status update is reflected in Workday. PTO accrual does not begin until the system shows you as a regular employee.

Part-time Game Advisors may accrue PTO at a lower rate than full-time employees. With average pay around $28,544 per year for advisors, the financial value of each PTO day is modest, but losing accrued days to a classification error or store closure still matters.

If you are part-time and consistently working 30+ hours per week, check whether you qualify for full-time reclassification. The jump in PTO accrual and benefits eligibility could be worth pursuing, especially as benefits premiums have increased.

The Employee Discount Does Not Offset PTO Issues

GameStop offers a 15-25% employee discount on games, accessories, collectibles, and pre-owned items. But the discount excludes new consoles, which is the one product category most GameStop employees would actually want to buy at a discount.

This is worth mentioning in the PTO context because some employees view the discount as part of their total compensation when evaluating whether to stay. Combined with low base pay, limited PTO, rising benefits premiums, and store closures, the discount alone does not fill the gap.

For more on the discount, see the GameStop employee discount page.

Benefits Premiums Increased for 2026

GameStop raised benefits premiums heading into 2026. If you are enrolled in health, dental, or vision coverage, your per-paycheck deduction is higher than it was last year. That effectively reduces your take-home pay, which makes your PTO days even more valuable as paid time off rather than something to leave unused.

Review your current benefits enrollment on Workday. If the premium increase changed the cost-benefit calculation for you, the next open enrollment period is your opportunity to adjust. For the full picture on GameStop benefits, visit the GameStop employee benefits page.

When You Leave GameStop

Whether through a store closure, a layoff, or your own decision, screenshot your PTO balance before your last day. Workday access is typically revoked at separation. ADP may remain accessible for pay stubs and W-2s, but PTO balance information may not carry over.

For more details, see the GameStop PTO payout when you quit page. The GameStop company hub links to all other topics including the quitting process and benefits after termination.

A Note on Timing and Store Closure Announcements

GameStop has given some stores very short notice before closing. Employees have reported learning about their store’s closure just days in advance, leaving almost no time to use banked PTO or prepare for separation. If your district has seen recent closures, treat the situation as time-sensitive even if your store has not been announced yet.

Keep your PTO balance low by using time regularly throughout the year. Keep your Workday screenshots current. And know your state’s PTO payout law before you need it. Being prepared is the best protection in an unpredictable situation. If you want to understand what happens to your 401(k), health coverage, and other benefits after leaving GameStop, the benefits after termination page and what happens to your 401k when you quit cover the details.