Reminder-Paid Time Off to Vote

With the upcoming general election on November 6, California employers are reminded that California law provides employees with up to two hours paid time off to vote if an employee provides two working days’ notice of the need for time off on the ground that he or she does not have sufficient time to vote outside of normal working hours.  With the polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., most employees should have sufficient time outside of regular working hours to vote, but employers need to be mindful of the need to accommodate any employees who do not have sufficient time.  Employers may require that the time off be taken at the beginning or end of the employee’s shift.  California employers are also required to post a voting rights notice 10 days before the election.  Notices are available in English and Spanish on the California Secretary of State website.