Should I Give My Workers Time Off To Vote?

This Tuesday, November 4, is Election Day in the US. What is arguably the most important presidential election in half a century is expected to bring much higher voter turnout than usual. Lines at polling places may be longer than ever and people may need more time to vote than in years past.

Question: Should I give my workers time off to vote and, if I do, do I have to pay them for that time?

Answer: That depends on what state they live in. There is no federal law that governs this, but the National Federation of Independent Business provides this state-by-state summary of what you are required to do for voting time for your employees.

Of course there is nothing that says you can't do more than your state allows. Encouraging your employees to vote and giving them the time to do so is one more way you can make yourself an employer-of-choice for the best workers.