And for some states, it may come sooner.
So many followers who need to travel back to their hometowns to vote have asked, “Can my company deduct my annual leave?”
Yes, they can.
But they cannot deny you reasonable time to vote.
Section 25(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954 states:
“Every employer shall, on polling day, allow to every elector in his employ a reasonable period for voting, and no employer shall make any deduction from the pay or other remuneration of any such elector or impose upon or exact from him any penalty by reason of his absence during such period.”
In simple English, your employer must allow you reasonable time to vote, and they cannot deduct your pay or penalise you for that reasonable period.
But if you need additional time to travel to your polling station, you may be required to apply for annual leave because the law doesn’t automatically grant you any additional traveling days as paid time off.
Happy weekend, everybody!
Remember to plan your journey, apply for your leave early , and most importantly go vote.
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
