Time Off to Vote
Voting is a fundamental right, and as an employer in New York State, it’s important to support your employees in exercising this right. It’s important for both employers and employees to understand their rights and responsibilities regarding time off to vote in New York State. Ensuring that employees can participate in elections is not only a legal obligation but also a way to foster civic engagement within the workplace.
- At least ten working days before each election, employers must display a notice in the workplace where employees can easily see it as they arrive and leave.
- This notice will inform employees of their right to time allowed to vote on election day. Here is a sample notice.
- While two hours is the maximum paid time off allowed under the law, the amount of paid time off required for an employee to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis as waiting times at polling places, traffic conditions, and other factors may vary wildly.
- Employees must notify an employer at least two working days prior to their intention to take paid time off to vote, but not more than ten working days.
- New York State employees are eligible for up to two hours of paid time off to vote if they do not have “sufficient time to vote.”
- If an employee has four consecutive hours to vote either from the opening of the polls to the beginning of their work shift, or four consecutive hours between the end of a working shift and the closing of the polls, it is deemed they have “sufficient time to vote.”
Check out New York State’s website for Time Off to Vote
Take a minute to check out your Voting Leave Policy in your Company Handbook to ensure compliance. If you need help, feel free to contact us.