Taking election day off

[OhhBother]

I'm proudly taking the day off for Obama Nov. 4. I'm traveling from my very red home state to North Carolina to help with voter turnout.

And don't assume things about my background. I'm taking a day's vacation from my job as marketing director for one of the Southeast's largest healthcare systems.

 

[singingpixie]

I really think people are making a bigger deal out of this than it is- no one is suggesting that people walk out on their jobs, or take a personal day without thinking of the consequences. I think the request for election day volunteers is understood to be targeted at people who could reasonably take the day off without adversely affecting their job. I'd look at it the same way I'd look at taking off of work for a doctor's appointment: "Is today a day I can afford to miss to deal with this other issue?" Many of us who have desk jobs have slower days and more hectic days. Personally, right now I can't afford the time off. But if Nov 4th was going to be a slow day for my department, I'd consider using my leave to volunteer.

The allusions to the entire economy shutting down, or retail shops having to close their doors are a bit dramatic.

I do think, however, that many places of business are going to have to be willing to compromise as far as people's hours on the 4th though- if lines are as long as they're predicted to be, there's a good chance that voting before or after work won't be possible for everyone. If there's a 3 hour line when someone shows up to vote at 7pm (polls closing at 9:30) they'd be SOL. As a society we have a responsibility to do what we can to give everyone the opportunity to vote. (before everyone goes nuts, I'm not suggesting that ER doctors just show up late to work... I'm talking about people performing non-essential services working with their employer to work out a solution that is acceptable to everyone).

 

[NMAmy]

well most of his supporters probably don't need the day off.

Oh my goodness. HOW do even THINK this stuff up so fast!! WAY TOO FUNNY or should I say, SAD!!
DEMOCRATS FOR MCCAIN

Hmm...other McCain supporters seemed to realize what you were saying, as well.

OK - third times a charm - let's hope it sticks this time
well - what about shift workers? - nurses, retail workers. etc. If 95% of his supporters make under $250,000 I doubt they need to take the whole day off to vote.

Why what do you think I meant?
__________________

Not everyone who makes under $250,000 does shift work.

I'm sure BO has unemployed supporters esp with share the wealth around - he has to give that wealth to someone. I'm sure some would like getting it. but I did not post that.

BOY you OS are in an uproar today- geez.

Not in an uproar but I'm not sure why you're pretending that wasn't a rude comment.

 

[nosoupforyou]

Take the day off? That's ludicris (oh wait, that's a rapper). Sorry, we're closing down the grocery stores and WalMart and the gas stations because everyone called in today.

I will be peeved if I can't get some donuts from Dunkin!

Just as ludicrous is the talk about how there's no reason anyone should settle for a low-paying job. If that were the case, who would be working at DD to make sure you get your daily dose of coffee and carbs?

 

[blu3d3vil]

Here (Canada), by law, everyone is guaranteed 3 hours off work (paid) during the time that the polls are open (hours vary by province). In my riding, the polls were open from 9:30am to 9:30pm, so you had to be allowed to come to work after 12:30pm or leave before 6:30pm. In some cases, the employee is allowed to take off three hours during their work day to vote, rather than coming in late/leaving early.

Socialism

 

[just4today]

I really think people are making a bigger deal out of this than it is- no one is suggesting that people walk out on their jobs, or take a personal day without thinking of the consequences. I think the request for election day volunteers is understood to be targeted at people who could reasonably take the day off without adversely affecting their job. I'd look at it the same way I'd look at taking off of work for a doctor's appointment: "Is today a day I can afford to miss to deal with this other issue?" Many of us who have desk jobs have slower days and more hectic days. Personally, right now I can't afford the time off. But if Nov 4th was going to be a slow day for my department, I'd consider using my leave to volunteer.

The allusions to the entire economy shutting down, or retail shops having to close their doors are a bit dramatic.

I do think, however, that many places of business are going to have to be willing to compromise as far as people's hours on the 4th though- if lines are as long as they're predicted to be, there's a good chance that voting before or after work won't be possible for everyone. If there's a 3 hour line when someone shows up to vote at 7pm (polls closing at 9:30) they'd be SOL. As a society we have a responsibility to do what we can to give everyone the opportunity to vote. (before everyone goes nuts, I'm not suggesting that ER doctors just show up late to work... I'm talking about people performing non-essential services working with their employer to work out a solution that is acceptable to everyone).

I saw the ad and, although I didn't scrutinize it carefully, I saw it as a general request for all OS to take the day off Maybe it is a request for volunteers, but it didn't have that impression for me.

Also, I think most places do have early voting available for those people who can't make it during the regular hours on election day. I also think it's more reasonable for people to request maybe an hour or two off rather than the whole day.

 

[Acklander]

well most of his supporters probably don't need the day off.

I'm his supporter - and I'll need the day off from work. I work at the polls. The day starts just before 6AM and I'll probably be completely done around 9:30 or 10 that night. It's a bit of a sacrafice, but I feel it's important so I do it every election

 

[singingpixie]

I saw the ad and, although I didn't scrutinize it carefully, I saw it as a general request for all OS to take the day off Maybe it is a request for volunteers, but it didn't have that impression for me.

Also, I think most places do have early voting available for those people who can't make it during the regular hours on election day. I also think it's more reasonable for people to request maybe an hour or two off rather than the whole day.

I think early voting is a great idea, but I think there are 19 states (mine included) that don't offer it as an option. Maybe I think too abstractly, but I took the ad to mean 1) request for volunteers for those who are able to reasonably do so and 2) emphasis on the idea that voting is important, and that we should do what we can to avoid letting long lines and inconveniences keep us from having our vote counted.

 

[asta]

OK - third times a charm - let's hope it sticks this time
well - what about shift workers? - nurses, retail workers. etc. If 95% of his supporters make under $250,000 I doubt they need to take the whole day off to vote.

Why what do you think I meant?
__________________

I thought your statement was rude and insulting and apparently your fellow McCain supporters took it that way also. And by the way it is ridiculous to assume that if you make less than $250,000 that you are a "shift worker". There are many jobs other than "shift workers" who make less than $250,000. And as far as shutting down critical functions, most if not all work places have in place a system for requesting days off that insures that critical or necessary functions are covered. No one is suggesting that people walk off their jobs.

It is sad that someone would even make this statement and then even worse that McCain supporters would laugh.

 

[swandiverpatt]

It was, indeed, a request to take the day off and volunteer on Election Day. I would consider this, but I'm taking Thursday-Monday off as it is to go to my stepdaughter's wedding.

 

[just4today]

I think early voting is a great idea, but I think there are 19 states (mine included) that don't offer it as an option. Maybe I think too abstractly, but I took the ad to mean 1) request for volunteers for those who are able to reasonably do so and 2) emphasis on the idea that voting is important, and that we should do what we can to avoid letting long lines and inconveniences keep us from having our vote counted.

In those states I would agree that employers should be flexible enough to allow people the time they need to vote. However, I stop short of saying employers should give employees the day off. I think many people are interpreting the ad the same way I did.

 

[camlace]

I have actually worked for 2 companies that had election day (presidential years only) as a paid holiday. One was a large international construction company and the other a local roadway contractor. The idea was it gave their employees the opportunity to vote and/or work the polls. Its not that crazy of a concept....

 

[just4today]

I have actually worked for 2 companies that had election day (presidential years only) as a paid holiday. One was a large international construction company and the other a local roadway contractor. The idea was it gave their employees the opportunity to vote and/or work the polls. Its not that crazy of a concept....

No, it isn't necessarily a crazy concept if that is what your employer chooses to do. What is crazy is the notion that everybody should take the day off, or that employers should be pressured to let employees take off.

 

[FoundMyPrince]

I have always thought a Presidential election day should be a federal holiday, makes more sense then Columbus Day.

I agree.

 

[Jennifer S]

Hmm...other McCain supporters seemed to realize what you were saying, as well.



Not everyone who makes under $250,000 does shift work.



Not in an uproar but I'm not sure why you're pretending that wasn't a rude comment.

honestly - I can't control what you think- so have at it

 

[ChrizJen]

Nice.

This may shock you, but a good majority of his supporters are educated and middle to upper class.

**GASP!!** Imagine that!
And to add to that, a good majority of us have VACATION DAYS that we're able and perfectly willing to use on Election Day!!

 

[HakunaMatata2]

This sounds like another not-so-well-thought-out Obama idea. This country would be in a mess if everyone took the day 'off'. Can you just imagine what would happen if all our doctors and nurses didn't show up for work? How about the police and firefighters?
I'm also thinking that WDW would have to close - no one making up your room, cooking meals, and running rides!

 

[Tigger Woods]

**GASP!!** Imagine that!
And to add to that, a good majority of us have VACATION DAYS that we're able and perfectly willing to use on Election Day!!

Or just take a sick day ..

 

[Patch'sD]

I think Obama had a great Idea, I am heading to PA and will work on the McCain and Palin Campaign

 

[Missy1961]

Here in NY, we can vote from 6 AM-9PM. I'll be voting after work, so I don't need the day off. But I have plenty of vacation days left so I could have if I wanted to.