With the Apr. 8 ballot issues just around the corner, it seems like a good time to review HR 411, the University’s policy on voting and related requests for time off. To highlight the main points:
MU Policy – HR 411 Voting
The main points:
- Employees may be excused from work for time necessary to allow them to vote (this includes time away for absentee voting, if necessary).
- This time may be up to, but not exceed, three (3) successive hours for the purpose of voting.
- Such period of time includes any off-duty time between the opening and closing of the polls (e.g., lunch).
- Employees shall be paid for any time requiring absence from duty to allow up to three (3) successive hours; provided, however, that such absence is requested prior to the election. Such time must be recorded on a time sheet or a monthly absence form.
- Supervisors have the right to specify the time an employee may be absent for voting (e.g. for coverage issues).
- Employees whose work hours permit three (3) successive hours between the opening and closing of the polls when not on duty, will not be eligible for any paid time off for the purpose of voting.
To clarify:
Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Voting is to take place either before work or after, principally. Only if the employee cannot make it to the polls before or after work, should the employee request release time to vote. This policy is not intended to be used as license to either arrive late or leave early. If time off is truly needed to vote, the policy stipulates that requests for release time be made prior to election day. If the supervisor approves release time, the employee does not have to make up the time. Supervisors can determine when release time takes place that day, based upon departmental needs. Employees with work hours that start at 9:00 a.m. or later are not eligible to request time off citing this policy. Reason: as per the last bulleted item above, their work hours permit three successive hours between the opening of the polls and their start time, i.e., 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Similarly, employees with work hours that end at 4:00 p.m. or earlier are not eligible to request time off citing this policy. Reason: their work hours permit three successive hours between the closing of the polls and the end of their shift, i.e., 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Feel free to contact me at 882-9166 or agnewl@missouri.edu if additional information is needed.
Leo Agnew, Personnel Coordinator