1. Policy Statement
Family Promise of Puget Sound (FPOPS) recognizes and supports the civic right and responsibility of its eligible employees to participate in the democratic process by voting. This policy outlines the provisions for paid leave to vote, ensuring employees can cast their ballots without undue hardship or loss of pay, in accordance with Washington State law.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
* Ensure compliance with Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 29A.84.080 regarding time off for voting.
* Facilitate employee participation in elections.
* Provide clear guidelines for requesting and approving voting leave.
* Affirm FPOPS’s commitment to civic engagement.
3. Scope
This policy applies to all paid employees of Family Promise of Puget Sound who are registered voters in an election for which time off to vote is required by Washington State law.
4. Guiding Principles
* Civic Responsibility: Support employees in exercising their fundamental right to vote.
* Legal Compliance: Adhere strictly to Washington State laws governing voting leave.
* No Loss of Pay: Ensure eligible employees do not suffer a loss of regular pay for time taken to vote as specified by law.
* Operational Consideration: Balance employee voting rights with the operational needs of FPOPS.
5. Definitions
* Election Day: Any day on which a general election, primary election, or special election is held, as defined by Washington State law.
* Voting Leave: Paid time off granted to an employee to enable them to vote.
6. Policy Guidelines and Procedures
6.1. Eligibility for Voting Leave
* An employee is eligible for voting leave if they are a registered voter and their work schedule on Election Day does not allow them three (3) continuous hours in which to vote while the polls are open (typically 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM in Washington State).
* The employee must genuinely require the time off to vote, meaning they cannot reasonably vote before or after their work shift.
6.2. Amount of Leave
* Employees who meet the eligibility criteria will be granted as much time off as will enable them to vote, but not more than two (2) hours for which they will receive their regular pay.
* This time off is provided solely for the purpose of voting and is not intended for other activities.
6.3. Requesting Voting Leave
* Advance Notice: Employees must apply for voting leave with their supervisor at least 24 hours in advance of Election Day. This allows the supervisor to make necessary arrangements for coverage.
* Supervisor’s Discretion: The supervisor, in consultation with the CEO if necessary, has the authority to specify the hours during which the employee may take their voting leave to minimize disruption to FPOPS operations, provided it still allows the employee sufficient time to vote.
6.4. Pay During Leave
* Employees will receive their regular pay for the approved time taken for voting leave, up to the maximum of two (2) hours as specified by Washington State law.
* Time taken beyond the two (2) paid hours for voting purposes would typically be unpaid or may be covered by accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) at the employee’s discretion and subject to approval under the Paid Time Off Policy (FPPS-PTO-001).
7. Responsibilities
* Employees: Responsible for understanding this policy, determining their eligibility, providing timely advance notice of their need for voting leave, and adhering to the approved schedule.
* Supervisors: Responsible for reviewing voting leave requests, approving time off in accordance with this policy and state law, and coordinating coverage for the employee’s absence.
* CEO/HR: Responsible for the overall administration of this policy and ensuring compliance with Washington State election laws.
8. Policy Review and Revision
This policy will be reviewed annually by the CEO and Board of Directors, or more frequently as needed, to ensure its continued effectiveness, relevance, and alignment with organizational needs and all applicable federal and Washington State laws, particularly RCW 29A.84.080. Any revisions will be communicated to all relevant personnel.