Dos and Don’ts of Engaging Employees on Elections

By TMA’s Advocacy Team – 

One of TMA’s biggest benefits to our members is advocacy. We advocate for you and your business to help amplify your voice and ensure your concerns are taken into account by lawmakers and influencers.

As we enter an impactful election season, it is vital that we educate our teams about the issues and races that will significantly impact your company and your employees. The races that impact our industry and our way of life this election include congressional and state legislative races.

It is essential that your employees be made aware of how important these issues are to them, their jobs, and their futures.

This guide will help you educate your employees ethically without risking legal, political, or publicity complications.

Do

• Educate your employees on manufacturing and business issues, such as tax and regulatory policies, that could impact your business and their jobs.

• Provide information on candidates’ views on manufacturing and business issues.

• Invite candidates to visit your company and speak with your employees about the issues that impact them at work and home.

• Give employees the required time off to vote and encourage them to do so.

Note: Under Illinois law, an employer must permit a two-hour paid absence during working hours if the employee’s working hours begin less than two hours after the polls open and end less than two hours before the polls close.

• Inform employees how they can get involved to urge their elected officials to act on issues important to manufacturers and their current and future job opportunities.

• Make it clear to your employees that no one will be treated negatively for their political views. They will be celebrated for doing their civic duty and standing up for what they believe in.

Don’t

• Intimidate or pressure your employees to take a position on an issue or candidate.

• Require employees to attend a meeting where you tell them how to vote.

• Threaten employees’ job security if they do not vote the way you recommend.

• Encourage employees to contribute to a candidate or a cause financially or with their time in exchange for the promise of reimbursing them with cash or other benefits.

• Provide employees incentives to vote – such as money, a promotion or other thing of value – regardless of how they vote.

TMA will continue to provide resources to help you engage your employees in this election.

If you have any questions, our government relations team is happy to assist you. Contact Dennis LaComb at dlacomb@tmaillinois.org

To print a version of this page, see https://files.constantcontact.com/216df2c5001/ce8c1d31-0605-427a-8670-0c059e262b9b.pdf?rdr=true 

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