Time off for voting

PSAC members are encouraged to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming provincial election and reminded that the BC Elections Act provides for time off work for voting on May 9th, General Voting Day.

Voters are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work to vote on General Voting Day. Voting hours on General Voting Day are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Pacific time.

This does not necessarily mean four hours off work. It means that there must be a four hour period, free from work, during voting hours. Time off may be at the beginning or end of an employee’s shift, or unnecessary if normal working hours already provide enough time free from work to vote. For example, if a shift ends at 4 p.m., or does not begin until noon, the employee is not entitled to any time off. Employers can decide when their employees can take time off to vote.

It is an offence if your employer deducts your pay or penalizes you for taking time off to vote. You are entitled to your regular compensation for any hours not worked during this time.

There are some exceptions, for or more information, visit elections.bc.ca