California Jury and Witness Duty Policy

Your employees in California have the rights and responsibilities when serving on a jury or as a witness in the state. As an HR professional or a business owner, you need to have a clear California Jury and Witness Duty policy to ensure your staff have a smooth and successful experience when fulfilling their civil duty. The template below gives you a comprehensive overview of what to expect and for you to customize to fit your organization’s specific needs.

California Jury and Witness Duty Policy

The purpose of this policy is to outline the expectations and responsibilities for employees who are summoned for jury duty or witness duty in the state of California. This policy ensures that employees are aware of their rights and obligations when serving as jurors or witnesses.

Jury Duty

1. Eligibility

All employees of [Company Name] are eligible for jury duty leave as mandated by California law.

2. Notification

Employees must notify their immediate supervisor as soon as they receive a jury duty summons. They must provide a copy of the summons to HR for documentation purposes.

3. Time Off

Employees will be granted time off to serve on a jury without any negative consequences on their employment status. The time off will be unpaid unless the employee chooses to use their accrued paid time off.

4. Proof of Service

Employees must provide proof of their jury service to HR upon returning to work. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Witness Duty

1. Eligibility

Employees who are subpoenaed as witnesses in a legal proceeding are also eligible for witness duty leave as mandated by California law.

2. Notification

Employees must notify their immediate supervisor as soon as they receive a witness duty subpoena. They must provide a copy of the subpoena to HR for documentation purposes.

3. Time Off

Employees will be granted time off to testify as a witness without any negative consequences on their employment status. The time off will be unpaid unless the employee chooses to use their accrued paid time off.

4. Proof of Service

Employees must provide proof of their witness service to HR upon returning to work. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Legal Protections

California law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for serving on a jury or as a witness. Any employee who believes they have been treated unfairly due to their jury or witness duty should report it to HR immediately.

[Company Name] supports and encourages employees to fulfill their civic duties by serving on juries or as witnesses when necessary. This policy ensures that employees are protected and provided with the necessary time off to fulfill these obligations. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action.

This policy is subject to change in accordance with updates to California state laws regarding jury duty and witness duty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by having a well-thought-out policy in place, employers can ensure that their employees understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to fulfilling these civic duties. This not only supports the legal system but also contributes to a more transparent and fair workplace environment for all parties involved. This template provides clear guidelines and expectations for employees who may be called for jury duty or as a witness in a legal proceeding.