Election Day FAQs

Time Off to Vote

  • Can faculty or staff members leave work to vote?
    • Answer: Yes.
  • How much voting time off is allowed?
    • Answer: Massachusetts law provides up to 2 hours of time off to vote. It is recommended that this time off be scheduled prior to the start of the scheduled workday or prior to the end of the scheduled workday.
  • A staff member who is eligible for overtime pay has requested time off to vote. Is this time off with pay?
    • Answer: No. A person who is paid hourly (non-exempt) is not entitled to be paid for this time away from work.
  • A staff member who is not eligible for overtime pay has requested time off to vote. Must this time off be paid?
    • Answer: Yes. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) allows pay for time off for employees who do not qualify for overtime pay. Regardless of pay, supervisors must be informed and must approve a request for such time off.
  • As a supervisor who has received a request for more than two hours away from work to vote, what do I need to consider to approve a request?
    • Answer: All efforts will be offered to ensure time away from work to vote is possible. When evaluating a request, regardless of whether the time off is paid, learn why more than 2 hours away from work is needed and whether staffing coverage exists during this time away to successfully manage operations.
      • (a.) For employees who qualify for overtime pay, discuss using personal time or vacation time for these hours.
      • (b.) For employees who do not qualify for overtime pay, find out why voting cannot occur prior to, or after, the scheduled workday. If options exist, and time away from work is 4 hours or more, these employees will need to request to use vacation time.
  • Where do I go if I have additional questions?