| Voting and Jury Duty | | | | an employee who takes time off work to vote. |
| It is a civic duty. It can be a huge inconvenience. It is | | | | Some employers may require their employees to |
| patriotic. It is kind of a hassle. It requires you to take | | | | provide proof in writing that they intend to take time |
| time off from work. Okay, maybe it is not so bad | | | | off of work to vote. |
| after all. It is part of the American experience to turn | | | | In addition to the protections granted under state |
| 18 years old and earn the right to vote. A somewhat | | | | law, it would be wise of employees to check their |
| more tedious American experience is serving on a | | | | employee handbooks or other personnel policies for |
| panel with 11 peers deciding the innocence or guilt of | | | | information on time off for voting. If an employer |
| some defendant and what sentence they should | | | | voluntarily adopts policies providing paid leave to cast |
| have to serve if any. | | | | a ballot, they must adhere to that promise or face |
| Whether it is casting a ballot in the ballot box or | | | | various penalties. |
| sitting in a jury with 11 peers, when civic duty calls | | | | Jury Duty |
| Americans answer. Many Americans also work nine to | | | | Employees are protected by state law from being |
| five or even later, so performing these duties can | | | | punished or fired by employers for taking time off of |
| seem to be compromising to employment. | | | | a work to serve on a jury. Employers are also |
| Fortunately, California law requires employers to allow | | | | restricted from trying to discourage or intimidate |
| employees to take time off to vote in an election or | | | | employees from serving on a jury. They are allowed |
| serve on a jury. | | | | to require proof from employees that there were |
| Voting | | | | called in for jury duty before they are allowed time |
| State law prohibits employers from disciplining or firing | | | | off work. |