jnthomas
02-15-2008, 10:41 AM
I work in Az and work 12.5 hour days. The Az statute says that if the polls(to vote) are not open 3 hours before or after your normal business day, the employer must allow you 3 hrs paid time during work to go vote without reprimands. I asked one of my immediate supervisors the night prior to the elections and he stated that if I could get to the polls at 6am, vote and make it to work on time (645am for lineup) then I would be fine. I live approximately 45 mins from work. If not, I would be S.O.L. (S*** outta luck). The day of, at 650am, I asked my main supervisor which is responsible for scheduling how I could vote. She stated that she knew she had to let me vote and would get back to me. She never responded. I worked from 7am til 730pm that day as that is my normal shift. After speaking to another supervisor I finally was able to contact the Senior Shift Supervisor and was told by him thru another supervisor, that I had 2 options. I could get back to work(instead of asking to go vote) or get a "ride to the gate". I asked if that meant I would be fired and was told, "maybe, but they will probobly just suspend you". I am on my initial probation period which means my job. I do not know the company policy requirements to request time off to vote but wonder if State law superceeds this and what recourse if any and with approximate sucess I would have taking this to court. I will most definately loose my job once I set this in motion so I would like some accurate info please. Az is a right to work state meaning that they can fire me with "no cause". It is my lively hood that I am gambling. Thank you in advance and sorry it's so long.