Voting and Jury Duty

Voting and Jury Duty

Employees who apply must be granted an unpaid leave of absence to vote during the two hours after the polls open in their districts. (M.G.L.c. 149, §178)
An employer may not threaten, discharge, discriminate against or discriminate in favor of an employee in an attempt to influence his vote. (M.G.L.c. 56, §33)
An employee cannot be discharged, harassed or otherwise discriminated against because he has received a jury summons or served as a juror. (M.G.L.c. 234A, §61;M.G.L.c.268, §14A) An employer must pay regular wages for the first three days of jury duty. (M.G.L. c. 234A, §48)

A person who is a victim of a crime upon which a criminal charge is based or who is subpoenaed to attend a criminal action as a witness cannot be discharged or penalized if he notifies his employer of his absence prior to the day of his attendance in court. (M.G.L.c. 268, §14B)