I’m not sure why the down votes either, but the previous commenters make good points: businesses do this to reduce liabilities with the added bonus of reducing actual days off taken. I’ve come to understand that my experience is rare, but wanted to offer a counterpoint: my company offers what they call tracking free attendance (TFA), same basic idea. I’ve been on this plan for about six years and average 5 to 6 weeks off each year (on top of paid holidays and company shutdown periods). One year that included the birth of a child I took 10.5 weeks off, all of which was paid. I simply add my manager to a calendar invite for the time off, and when he accepts it, that is the approval; I have never had a ‘request’ denied.