All Indiana University faculty and staff are encouraged to exercise their right to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 7. However, it’s important to be aware of the staff policy regarding paid time off to vote and the university policy on the political use of university resources.

Paid time off for voting

Voting polls in each precinct across the state are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7. Staff employees whose work schedules prevent them from voting between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. may be allowed up two hours off with pay to vote.

Examples:

• A staff employee with a work schedule of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. has between 6 and 8 a.m. to vote before reporting for work. Therefore, this staff employee would not receive any time off with pay to vote.
• A staff employee with a work schedule of 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. has only 1.5 hours to vote either before or after work. Therefore, this staff employee would receive, if needed, one half hour of time off with pay to vote.

This time off does not have to be made up or charged to vacation time or any other previously earned time off for staff employees.

• If more than two hours are needed on Election Day, supervisors are encouraged to allow employees to use flex time or time-off accruals.
• This time off does not apply to early voting. Employees participating in early voting are to use flex time or time-off accruals.

HR policy HR-05-130 contains full details on time off for voting and a printable notice (PDF) is also available. For related questions, contact askHR.

Policy on political activity

IU employees are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the IU policy that governs the use of university resources with respect to political activities.

As a state-supported public university, IU may not participate or intervene in any political campaign and must prevent its resources from being used in any way that could appear to support a political campaign. Reviewing the policy can help clarify the types of activities that are permitted and those that are restricted.

No IU policy is meant to prohibit or discourage political activity or advocacy undertaken in an individual capacity, and IU supports your right as a citizen to pursue your individual political engagements. The policy is only meant to prevent IU resources from being impermissibly used in political and partisan efforts.