With Ontario’s provincial election fast approaching, employers across the province must be aware of their legal responsibilities to ensure that employees can exercise their right to vote without facing any barriers or penalties.
As Election Day draws near, it’s crucial for employers to be proactive in managing their workforce while upholding employees’ voting rights. Understanding the key provisions of the Ontario Elections Act (1990) can help employers navigate these obligations and avoid any legal repercussions.
Legal requirement to allow time off to vote
Under the Ontario Elections Act, employers are required to provide their employees with at least three consecutive hours during polling hours to cast their vote. Polls are typically open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on election day, meaning that employers must ensure that employees have a suitable window of time to participate in the election process. This time off must occur during these hours and is protected by law, ensuring that employees do not face penalties or deductions from their pay for choosing to vote.
For businesses that operate during “normal” working hours, typically between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., most employees will automatically have the opportunity to vote during the evening, as they will still have three consecutive hours of time when the polls are open. As such, employers in these industries are unlikely to face
the need to grant additional time off for voting. However, it is important to assess...
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