Ontarians are headed to the polls today, and some employees may need time off to vote.
“The Election Act requires that employees who are qualified to vote be allowed three consecutive hours for the purpose of voting during election day,” says a Fasken Martineau bulletin. “If an employee’s work hours on election day do not allow for those three consecutive hours, the employee is entitled to time off.”
Polling stations are open from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. on Thursday, and if an employee’s schedule to work is from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day, the employee could ask to finish an hour earlier.
“The employer must provide this time off upon request from the employee; however, any required time off may be granted at the time of day that is most convenient for the employer,” the bulletin states. “The employer is prohibited from making any deduction from the pay of an employee or imposing any other penalty for the employee’s absence from work during the three consecutive hours.”
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