Is an employer required to give employees time off for jury duty?
Yes. It is illegal for an employer to discharge, or threaten to discharge an employee as a consequence of his/her service as a juror or prospective juror. Although an employee’s position and benefits must be maintained, an employer is not required to pay wages during his/her service as a juror or prospective juror. Also, an employer may not require the employee to use sick leave or vacation time; or, require the employee to work: (1) within 8 hours before the time at which he is to appear for jury duty; or (2) if his service has lasted for 4 hours or more on the day of his appearance for jury duty, including his time going to and returning from the place where the court is held, between 5 p.m. on the day of his appearance for jury duty and 3 a.m. the following day.
