The Importance of Civic Engagement: Helping Employees Navigate Election Season
As an HR/People leader, one of our core responsibilities is to foster a culture of engagement and inclusivity within the workplace. During this election season, it’s crucial for organizations to emphasize the importance of civic engagement and ensure employees are well-informed about their rights and opportunities to participate in the democratic process. This includes educating employees on policies and programs available to get engaged.
The Value of Civic Engagement
Civic engagement is vital for the health of our democracy and the communities we serve. Encouraging employees to take an active role in their communities not only benefits society but also enhances the workplace environment. Employees who are civically engaged tend to develop stronger leadership skills, a sense of purpose, and greater job satisfaction.
Educating Employees on Applicable Company Policies
To support civic engagement, it is imperative to educate employees about policies available to them such as:
Voting Time Off: While federal law does not require employers to give employees time off to vote, a majority of states and some local ordinances mandate voting leave time. State voting-leave laws also vary on whether such time off must be paid or unpaid for nonexempt employees. Exempt employees who take a partial day off to vote during normal working hours should not have their pay reduced, as doing so would jeopardize their exempt status under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Employers should take this time to educate their employees on their Voting Time Off policies. For employers with a large nonexempt/hourly population they should do special communications and planning with both managers and employees ensuring those employees plan accordingly when it comes to voting whether before, during or after their work hours and or if permissible doing mail in ballots or early/absentee voting.
This is also a great time to engage your Policy team if your company has one. Policy teams work in and are navigating what can sometimes seem like a daunting and complex political landscape. Not only that, if there are policy initiatives on the ballot that could affect your company (product(s) or employees) this is a good time to share and educate them on these proposed legislative changes in an effort to help them be as informed as possible. While the presidential election may be billed as the main event it’s important to also vote down the ballot as local offices, policies and programs are just as important and most often have the more immediate impact.
Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Many organizations offer VTO policies that allow employees to take paid time off to volunteer in their communities. This policy not only supports local causes but also promotes a sense of fulfillment and teamwork among employees. To maximize the impact of VTO:
Clearly communicate the details of the VTO policy, including eligibility, the amount of time available, and the process for requesting VTO.
Provide examples of volunteer opportunities and highlight how employees can get involved such as:
Company and Team Initiatives:
Participate in company-sponsored volunteer days
Join employee resource groups focused on community service
Election-Related Opportunities
Volunteer as a poll worker
Assist with voter registration drives
Support get-out-the-vote efforts
Civic Engagement
Attend local town hall meetings
Volunteer for community organizations
Consider running for local office or supporting local campaigns
Creating a Culture of Engagement
To truly support civic engagement, it’s not enough to just have policies in place; employers must actively create a culture that values and encourages participation. This can be achieved by:
Hosting informational sessions or lunch-and-learns about the importance of voting and volunteering (another great opportunity to tap into your policy team)
Partnering with local organizations to facilitate non-partisan volunteer opportunities and provide employees with avenues to get involved
Recognizing and celebrating employees who engage in civic activities, thereby setting a positive example for others
While we encourage civic participation, we recognize that political views can vary widely among our employees. It is crucial to maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace environment by keeping political activities separate from work. Always ensure that any political involvement is done on an employee’s own time and using their own resources.
Conclusion
As HR leaders, we have a unique opportunity to champion civic engagement within our organizations. By educating employees about their rights and the available time off policies for volunteering and voting, we can foster a workplace culture that values participation, inclusivity, and community involvement. This election season, let's empower our employees to make a difference both in and out of the workplace.