Labour Department reminds businesses that staff, including shift workers, are entitled to four unbroken hours to vote

The Labour Department is again advising employers that the law allows employees four uninterrupted hours to vote on Election Day, set for January 18.

Employees, including those who work on shift, should have time off to vote between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., the hours in which the polling stations are open.

While every worker will not require time off to exercise their franchise, the Labor Department says that affected workplaces –

including security companies, supermarkets, and gas stations –

should abide by the legal requirement.

For example, workers employed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. would only have two hours for voting before their shift begins and one voting hour after their shift ends.

Therefore, according to the Labour Department, their employers must adjust the work day to allow their staff four unbroken hours to vote, whether prior, during, or after the shift ends.

In some countries, including Australia, voting is mandatory, and every adult citizen must exercise their franchise on Election Day.