What New England Employers Need to Know About Voting Leave Laws

In the midst of election season, New England employers must fully understand the voting leave laws in the jurisdictions in which they operate. Like so many employment laws, each state has its own regulations regarding time off to vote, ensuring that voters can participate in the democratic process without sacrificing their job security. Below are the regulations that human resources and operations teams in New England should keep at top of mind over the next few weeks.

Maine
No law requires employers to provide paid or unpaid time off from work to vote.

New Hampshire
No law requires employers to provide paid or unpaid time off from work to vote.

Vermont
No law requires employers to provide paid or unpaid time off from work to vote.

Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, eligible voters in manufacturing, mechanical, and mercantile establishments are entitled to up to two hours of unpaid leave to vote during the two hours after polls open. Employees must request such time away from work in advance.

Rhode Island
No law requires employers to provide paid or unpaid time off from work to vote.

Connecticut
No law requires employers to provide paid or unpaid time off from work to vote.

Voting leave laws in New England are sparse, but it is important to be able to respond to employees when they question their rights as it relates to time away from work to vote. If an employer has a voting leave policy that is more generous then the above, employers should make sure they are following those standards in addition to complying with any applicable laws. For more information about paid and unpaid leave laws in New England, contact a member of Verrill’s Employment and Labor Group.