ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > October > 30 > Entry
Are you taking off work to go vote?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Because of the massive early voting turnout, Atlanta companies are feeling the impact of their employees missing hours at work in order to vote.
Georgia law requires employers give staff up to two hours off to vote on Election Day, but employers can specify which two hours workers can use to vote and the provision doesn’t apply to people whose work schedule begin at least two hours after the polls open or end at least two hours before polls close.
If the massive crowds during early voting were any indication, the wait time to vote may be much longer than two hours on Tuesday. Is your company being understanding about allowing you time off work to go vote? Do you think the law should be changed to better protect a worker’s opportunity to vote, especially during record turnouts like this election has created?
Comments
By SLin
November 3, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Hourly employees discouraged from voting during work hours: no compensation, unless you work extra hours; it takes more than 2 hours to vote, during which time a person is “absent”. Not all companies provide “2 hours” to go vote.
We should have a national voting holiday like they do in Puerto Rico, where the day is marked with festivities.
By Advance Voter
November 3, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Seriously, people shouldn’t need to miss work to go vote. I did the Early Voting weeks ago. People also had the option to vote by mail. They’ve had ample opportunity to vote. If they waited until the very last day, then let them vote when they get off work and stand in line all evening. Or use vacation time to take the afternoon off to go vote.
By Dan
November 3, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this
The fact that this is an issue to some if a perfect example, of what is wrong with this country. People concerned with their privilege more than their responsibility. Why in the world should an employer pay you to go vote??? Doing so is a nice gesture but compeling it is inane. Polls are open much longer than 8 hours so work should not be an issue Voting is a responsibility just do it, however if this needs to be explained to you, maybe you shouldn’t vote after all
By Jen
November 3, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
I think a lot of people will take the day off, especially if they have kids because school will be out.
Myself, I voted on October 8. But, my son will be out of school so I am working from home tomorrow (I do computer based work).
I agree that election day should be a national holiday, like Labor Day or Memorial Day, only once every 4 years.
By bobbylousue
November 3, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Last time I looked this was still America. You must be upper management “Advance voter”. You sound like all the big guys I have ever worked for in the last 30 years. I have also been in management and do not believe that my job is my life. My life is my family and my job is sceond. I will be taking the day to vote tomorrow. As hard as I work I deserve the day off but will come in after I finish voting if time warrants it. I am glad you love your work so much you must not have anything else.
By Sugar
November 3, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Yes, I will go to the polls tomorrow at 6:45 and wait. I work for a small company and they are allowing anyone who votes on the 4th to take as much time off as needed.
They DID NOT extend that courtesy to those who voted early. Some of my co-workers had to take the entire day off as they stood in line for 6 hours to vote early.
By poll manager
November 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Yes, tomorrow is a school holiday for most, but please leave your brats at home or in the car while you vote. We have enough problems to worry about without having to watch out for your kids. Just remember it is illegal for anyone (and this means your kids) to touch the screen other than the registered voter. I can’t tell you how many times we have told people that and then watched them as their lifted their kids up to touch the screen. We will go to your booth, and remind you of what you were told not 10 minutes ago, in a voice loud enough for all to hear.
By whatsinaname
November 3, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
I agree with advance voter. People have had plenty of time to get an absentee ballot. If you get off at 5:00pm then there is the 2 hours you need, so the rule no longer applies. If you want to go early, fine, just don’t expect me to pay you for time you didn’t work. Of course, the American worker mentality is what can I get for free without having to work for it.
By Joe the Plumber
November 3, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
We have flex time at my office so I will go to vote after 2:30. But the company is being pressured to give employees two hours anyway and most are doing that. They should be fired. As long as your in line by 7:00pm will will vote. Most of these people don’t know what they are voting for in the first place.
By Cornelia
November 17, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
I work from 8-5 M-F. I commute to work 1-1.5 per day each way. Since the polls close at 7, unless I take unpaid time off, I will not be able to vote. As you well know, Thirty minutes or one hour to vote does not cut it. Based on your reasoning many working class people will be disenfranchised.