Time off to vote in the provincial election
This message was sent to executive, deans and other senior academic leaders, academic heads, directors and managers, and senior professional leaders in Vancouver and the Okanagan.
October 1, 2024
As you may be aware, the British Columbia provincial election takes place on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Voting will take place between 8:00am and 8:00pm.
UBC employees who are registered voters, and scheduled to work that day, are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work in which to vote. Employees with less than four hours of personal time between voting hours and the start or end of their working day may require paid time off. Employees who are scheduled to start work later than 12:00pm, or to finish work before 4:00pm, will have four consecutive hours of personal time and do not require extra time off to vote.
Employees who do not have the appropriate time off to vote on election day may alternatively request time off to vote during advance voting, provided they do not have four consecutive hours free from work during advance voting times. Advance voting is open Thursday, October 10, to Sunday, October 13, and Tuesday, October 15, to Wednesday, October 16, between 8:00am and 8:00pm.
If an employee makes such a request for paid leave, it must be granted. However, the BC Election Act confirms that the time off may be scheduled at the convenience of the employer. It is up to each department to determine whether an employee is to be permitted a late start or an early finish.
For more information about providing time for employees to vote on election day, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact your Human Resources Advisor or Associate:
Adam Charania
Interim Vice-President, Human Resources
UBC Bulletin is used to inform and engage leadership at the university. Learn more
