As Election Day approaches, many business owners and company leaders face the challenge of balancing the rights of their employees to participate in the process against reducing any operational disruptions.
Here are some things businesses should be aware of and keep in mind when finding a way to effectively navigate a situation like this.
Understanding Voting Leave Laws
First and foremost, you need to remember that voting is a fundamental right of all citizens, and many states have laws requiring employers to provide time off for employees to cast their ballots. According to HR consultant and owner of Elevate Results Consulting Erica Roelike, “The law for having time off to vote is a legal right of all citizens. It is important that each company and/or employee check their specific state guidelines on time off and access to voting tools, but a general rule of thumb is that employees can receive paid time off to go and vote.”
State-Specific Guidelines Vary
Voting leave laws vary by state, so it’s important for business owners and leadership teams to familiarize themselves with their state’s specific requirements. Here are a few key points to consider:
- → The amount of time off allowed for your employees
- → Whether the time off will be paid or unpaid
- → The communication and notice requirements for employees
- → Penalties for non-compliance to state laws for your business
Strategies for Balancing Operations and Voting Rights
Not every situation will be ideal. We understand that each business has its own unique business needs, but here are a few suggestions for you to consider when implementing policies regarding election times—whether that’s for state, local, or national Presidential Election periods.
- Encourage Early Voting and Absentee Ballots
Roelike advises, “I always encourage everyone to vote, there are absentee ballots, early voting at the polls, and day of voting. It is important that companies communicate this and continue to encourage voting.” By promoting these options and communicating where employees can access these optional voting tools, you can reduce Election Day absences and maintain smoother operations.
- Coordinate Absences
“Many states can require employees to tell them ahead of time what time of day they will need off to vote. Companies can work to coordinate employees’ absences for voting to minimize workplace distributions,” Roelike notes. Create a system for employees to request time off for voting, allowing you to stagger absences and ensure adequate coverage.
- Flexible Scheduling
Consider implementing flexible work hours on Election Day, allowing employees to come in early or stay late to make up for time spent voting. This is a great option for businesses that do not welcome in-store or walk-in consumers or clients—service-based, research and development businesses versus floor product sales and retail-type businesses.
- On-site Voting Information
Provide employees with resources on polling locations, voting hours, and required documentation. This can help streamline the voting process and reduce time away from work.
- Create a Voting-Friendly Culture
Demonstrate your commitment to civic engagement by openly discussing the importance of voting and encouraging participation. This can boost employee morale and engagement.
Finding balance requires some preparation and clear communication. Here are some additional tips to help businesses navigate this time of year more effectively:
- Plan ahead: Start preparing for Election Day well in advance to minimize last-minute disruptions.
- Communicate clearly: Ensure all employees understand their rights and your company’s policies regarding voting leave.
- Be flexible: Recognize that unexpected situations can happen. Extremely long polling lines or understaffed polling stations are examples of situations outside an employee’s control. Making a contingency plan ahead of time can help businesses reduce negative impacts on operations.
- Lead by example: Business leaders should make it a point to vote for themselves and share their experiences with their team.
- Monitor workloads: Adjust project deadlines and workloads to accommodate potentially reduced staffing on Election Day or the days before Election Day.
By implementing some of these recommended strategies, business owners and workforce leaders can support their employees’ right to vote while maintaining operations and lessening any negative impact on the business during the voting season.