[mancerayder]

Do you live in the US?

PTO, even unlimited, is managerial discretion (not HR) and is rarely allowed more than two weeks in a stretch.

What's a leave of absence?

As a financial tech worker, what you're describing sounds like academia or European standards. Of course they're great solutions, they just don't exist as options for some of us.

[austin-cheney]

Yes, I am a US software developer with nearly 20 years. You are very clearly not talking to your employer and not thinking this through.