Question of the Month

Each month our Senior Generalists answer questions, on a broad range of topics, from our Employer's HR HelpLine clients. At the end of the month, we review our client questions and pick one to share. Each question has been thoroughly researched and verified. To protect our clients' privacy, company names and identities will not be divulged in any of our questions.

November, 2008 Question:

In Minnesota, all private employers must allow employees time off to vote. Typically this time is taken either in the morning or in the afternoon (allowing employees to start work later or leave work early to get to the polling location). Check your company’s Employee Handbook to see what your company’s policy states.

The amount of time an employer must grant is not specified in Minnesota state law. However, employers MUST grant employees voting time leave during the morning of Election Day (November 4th).

While a company’s employees are out voting, employers cannot impose a penalty or deduct from their employees’ wages due to their absence while voting. In addition, employers cannot directly or indirectly refuse, abridge, or interfere with their employees’ voting rights. Violation of employees’ voting leave rights are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $1,000.

If your company does not have an Employee Handbook, or if your Employee Handbook does not include a “Time Off for Voting” section, please let us know! We can assist you in either creating or modifying your Employee Handbook.

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