Employees in British Columbia are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work to vote in a provincial election. If your work schedule doesn’t allow this, your employer must provide time off without reducing your pay.
You don’t automatically get four hours off work. The law requires four consecutive hours free from work during voting hours, which can include time before or after your shift.
? Know Your Rights: BC employees must have four consecutive hours free from work during provincial election voting hours. If your employer needs to adjust your shift, you can’t lose wages for the required time off.
On This Page
- How Much Time Off?
- Work Schedule Examples
- Is Voting Leave Paid?
- Advance Voting
- Federal Elections
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Time Off Do You Get to Vote in BC?
Under BC’s Election Act, eligible voters must have four consecutive hours free from work during provincial election voting hours.
Voting locations are normally open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If your regular work schedule already gives you four consecutive hours to vote, your employer doesn’t have to provide additional time off.
If it doesn’t, your employer must adjust your schedule. The employer can choose whether you start late, finish early or receive time off during your shift.
When Must Your Employer Give You Time Off to Vote?
Here are examples based on provincial election voting hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
| Your Work Shift | Time Off Required? |
|---|---|
| 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | No. You have four hours after work. |
| 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. | No. You have four hours before work. |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Yes. Your employer must adjust your shift to provide a four-hour voting window. |
For example, an employee working 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. could be allowed to start at noon or finish at 4 p.m.
Is Time Off to Vote Paid in BC?
Yes. If your employer must give you time off to vote, they can’t deduct wages or penalize you for taking that time.
Your employer also can’t require you to make up the missed hours without pay.
However, if your normal schedule already gives you four consecutive hours to vote, you aren’t entitled to additional paid time off.
Can You Take Time Off for Advance Voting in BC?
Yes, in certain circumstances. Employees who won’t have four consecutive hours free during voting hours on final voting day can arrange time off for advance voting instead.
If you receive the required time off during advance voting, your employer doesn’t have to provide it again on final voting day.
You also can’t be required to vote early simply because your employer prefers it.
How Much Time Off Do You Get for a Federal Election?
For federal elections, eligible employees must have three consecutive hours free from work during voting hours.
This rule applies across Canada under the Canada Elections Act, subject to limited exceptions.
- BC provincial election: Four consecutive hours
- Federal election: Three consecutive hours
In both cases, employers must provide the necessary time off without deducting wages.
Time Off to Vote BC: Frequently Asked Questions
Does My Employer Have to Give Me Four Hours Off to Vote?
Not necessarily. You must have four consecutive hours free from work during provincial election voting hours. If your schedule already allows this, additional time off isn’t required.
Can My Employer Deduct My Pay for Voting?
No. Employers can’t deduct wages or penalize employees for time off they’re legally required to provide for voting.
Who Decides When I Can Leave Work to Vote?
Your employer can choose when to provide the necessary time off, as long as you receive four consecutive hours free during voting hours.
Can My Employer Force Me to Vote Early?
No. Your employer can’t require you to vote in advance instead of on final voting day.
What If My Employer Refuses to Let Me Vote?
Employers can’t unlawfully refuse required voting leave or penalize employees for exercising their voting rights. You can raise the issue with your employer and contact Elections BC if it isn’t resolved.
Know Your Employment Rights in BC
BC employees have legal protections involving voting leave, wages, workplace changes and termination.
If you’ve been fired or punished for exercising your workplace rights, the BC employment lawyers at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP help non-unionized employees with wrongful dismissal, constructive dismissal and severance pay.
Your severance could reach up to 24 months’ pay. Use our Severance Pay Calculator to estimate what you’re owed.
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