Do you have a voting leave policy for your employees?
According to the Texas Workforce Commission, assuming an employee has not participated in early voting, that employee is entitled to take paid time off for voting on election days, unless the employee has at least two consecutive hours to vote outside of the voter's working hours.
Go one step further to encourage employees to perform their civic duty by implementing a voting leave policy.
Policies should allow employees to take time off to vote. Start by specifying the amount of voting leave they may take. A sound policy should include information about how to work with managers and teams to provide notice and have their job requirements covered while they are voting. If possible, allowing for flexible work arrangements on election day, including remote work options, can also be helpful.
Having a voting leave policy in place, and making employees aware of it, shows that you as an employer respect and encourage voting. When employees feel encouraged to vote, they’re more likely to actually do it.
Help your employees be informed about what’s on the ballot. The League of Women Voters Austin Area provides nonpartisan information on elections and voting. Visit www.vote411.org for a complete list of candidates and initiatives on your local ballot.
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