California's "Employee's Time Off to Vote" Law

[hankthe8th]

Is anyone here familiar with California's Section 14000.  Employee's Time Off to Vote?

From the language of it, it sounds like my employer has to pay me if I need to take off time to vote, up to 2 hours. I asked about it and they said that the 2 hours is out of my pocket, as in I have to use 2 hours of my PTO. I was wondering if anyone here knows the facts or has experience with this issue. I am an hourly employee that has my vacation time and sick time combined into my PTO hours if that makes a difference. I'd really like to stick it to them, because they are always sticking it to me. Vote or DIE!

Here be the text:
http://www.dpa.ca.gov/textdocs/freepmls/pml2000061.txt

[NAKID]

Print it out and bring it in. Depending on how big your place of employment is, you should talk to someone higher than your immediate boss...

[Oldfisti]

We have the same thing in NY. Ditto on printing that. Starting 10 days from election day photodocument your workplace for compliance on posting sec. 14000 info. Give your notice for voting time no later than 2 days before.(in writing would be best) Then stick it in their ass if they don't want to pay you for up to, but not exceeding 2 hours. They won't have a leg to stand on. Especially if they didn't comply with sec. 14001 !

[hankthe8th]

I've talked to my direct boss about it earlier and he went to HR with it. HR is the one saying it is out of my pocket. The language in the employee handbook is vague, but does mention I have to prove I voted; which says to me it is out of their pocket. My company likes to take advantage of people. I work in a printing shop where most people are minorities and most only have a high school education. I don't think they expect people to question it. Before I got there, they were only paying people for 8 hours when they had to travel, even if travel exceeded 8 hours. I had a 14 hour travel day on two occasions and they tried to pay me for 8 each. After I raised one hell of a shit storm they changed their policy. We have a little over 100 employees and only the VP's are salary. Everyone else, including managers, are hourly.

I haven't gone in with the info in the link yet. I'm gathering my arsenal and then hit them with all I've got. I'm assembling my army of coworkers now. FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[superjohn]

I would think it depends on your shift. If the polls open several hours before, or close several hours after you should be able to make it without taking time off. The law, if I'm not mistaken, was made to allow people who work long shifts, or have to commute a long time to their job site to be able to come in late, or leave early to vote.

[hankthe8th]

I would think it depends on your shift. If the polls open several hours before, or close several hours after you should be able to make it without taking time off. The law, if I'm not mistaken, was made to allow people who work long shifts, or have to commute a long time to their job site to be able to come in late, or leave early to vote.

I understand that. Polls are open 7 am to 8 pm. I work 8-5 and only live a half hour away. Problem is that there are people here who work 10-12 hours shifts that are being told they have to take their own time off in order to vote. I just like to fight the power, even if it doesn't directly affect me.

[Statler]

I have not read the CA law, but a technique I have used successfully in the past is this:   You point out the law and say they can give you your two hours paid time to vote and all is happy, or if not, you can make sure every employee gets there paid two hours off to vote and if not have your attorney start getting a class action together against the company.

You'd like to do it the easy way of course, but if they are going to be difficult and all....

It's the 'fix it for me and I'll shut up" plan.

[Statler]

on the other hand, and not having read the law, if the polls are open outside of your shift, just go vote and stop trying to get out of working on someone else's dime.

Sounds like it should cover folks who have to make a choice of work or vote, not people who have a choice of get up earlier to vote or not.

[hbliam]

There are so many polls here that it's fairly easy to go vote during lunch or after work. It doesn't even have to be your polling place or County.

It sounds more like you need to find a new job.

[somegirl]

I'm signed up as a permanent absentee voter, so I just do it by mail in advance.

[NAKID]

Too bad that by most accounts, your vote won't be counted...

[somegirl]

Too bad that by most accounts, your vote won't be counted...

Yeah when I know it's not going to count I usually go for something obscure like the Green Party.

[Drjones]

There is such a thing called early voting.

[teddy037.2]

I would think it depends on your shift. If the polls open several hours before, or close several hours after you should be able to make it without taking time off. The law, if I'm not mistaken, was made to allow people who work long shifts, or have to commute a long time to their job site to be able to come in late, or leave early to vote.

it's like that in HI, as well.  but I've never heard of an employer dishing out since poll hours are so long....

[krolik]

What are these polls you speak of? 

Are they to be avoided when riding a motorcycle? [moto]

J/K

I live in Oregon where its all vote by mail.