Time off for voting - Provincial Election May 14th 2013

April 23, 2013

BCNU members are entitled to time off to vote

All BCNU members are protected by the BC Election Act, which states that all employees in the province who are entitled to vote are allowed four consecutive hours free from employment during voting hours on General Voting Day for the purpose of voting.

There must be a four hour period of no work during the time the voting places are open. It is up to the employer to decide when their employees can take time off work to vote. Time off may be at the beginning or end of an employee's shift, or unnecessary if normal working hours already provides the necessary time from employment.

It is an offence for an employer to take any deduction from an employee's pay, or exact any other penalty, for time off for voting. The employee is entitled to their regular compensation for those hours not worked while voting.

In addition to the BC Elections Act, the Nurses' Bargaining Association Provincial Collective Agreement ensures that members are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work during the hours the polls are open to cast their vote. If in order to satisfy this provision an employee must absent herself from work she shall suffer no loss of salary for the scheduled hours away from work.

Election Day is Tuesday, May 14th. Polling locations will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Advance polls will also take place May 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Prepare now to protect your right to vote:

consult with your manager now for the pre-arranged four hours off duty;
replacement staff should be booked in advance to maintain safe levels of care;
employers may set the required time off as best suits care needs;
if you are being intimidated into taking less than four hours, or if you are denied your right to four hours free from work for voting, contact your steward.

Remember you must bring your identification to the polls in order to vote: proof of identity and residential address is required in order to receive a ballot or to register when you go to vote. This means you must bring one piece of photo ID with your address or two pieces of addressed mail that show your name and address. Voters may now register online at: https://eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/ovr/welcome.aspx.

For more information on BC's May 14th election and to check if you are registered to vote, contact Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. or go to www.elections.bc.ca.