To: National Desk

Contact: Mike Diegel of NFIB, 202-314-20004

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 /U.S. Newswire/ -- You're a civic-minded small-business owner. You want your employees to participate in the political process. When they ask for time off work to go to the polls, what do you do?

When it comes to giving time off to vote, there are no federal laws that require you to do so. However, a majority of the states have laws requiring employers give employees time off to vote, particularly in situations where an employee's work hours don't allow sufficient time to vote during poll hours.

Flexibility is the key when it comes to encouraging employees to vote. While your state's laws may not mandate paid time off, there's nothing that prohibits you from implementing a voting policy that offers your employees greater flexibility or privileges than what the law requires.

What do most state voting laws require?

In many states, the following rules generally apply:

-- If polls are open two or three hours before or after employees' normal tour of duty, the employer is not obligated to provide time off to vote.

-- Employers may require that employees provide written requests for time off to vote.

-- Employers may designate when time off will be permitted for employees to vote.

-- Employers may not include lunch periods as part of the voting time off permitted.

-- Employees may not be disciplined or retaliated against for taking time off to vote.

To learn more about state voting law requirements, go to http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_31227.html.

To view a sample voting leave policy, the NFIB Legal Foundation's Model Employee Handbook for Small Business includes a model voting time off policy (free to NFIB members, $40 for non-members).

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NFIB is the nation's leading small-business advocacy association, with offices in Washington, D.C. and all 50 state capitals. Founded in 1943 as a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, NFIB gives small- and independent-business owners a voice in shaping the public policy issues that affect their business. NFIB's powerful network of grassroots activists send their views directly to state and federal lawmakers through our unique member-only ballot, thus playing a critical role in supporting America's free enterprise system.

NFIB's mission is to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses. More information about NFIB is available online at http://www.NFIB.com.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

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