It's election season again...which means employees may need time off to vote.
As a reminder, New York employers are required to post the required election rights notice at least 10 working days before Election Day. For the upcoming November 3, 2020 election, this means that employers with a 5-day (Monday through Friday) workweek should post this notice by tomorrow, October 20, 2020. The notice can be found here. Employers with remote employees should consider how they will provide the required notice.
The election leave laws have changed a few times in recent years, so here is an update: the New York election law currently provides that an employee is only eligible for paid time off to vote if they do not have four consecutive hours available to vote either before or after their work shift. If an employee does not have sufficient time available, the employee can receive up to two hours of paid time off to vote.
New York is not the only State/locality that has election notice and leave requirements, so if you have employees in other locations, please be sure to check the applicable guidance or reach out with any questions.
If you have any questions about this topic, please contact the authors Jasmin Farhangian and Jessica Shpall Rosen, or your personal Greenwald Doherty attorney contact.
