**** Elections thread *****

[OngBonga]

Is that true? I mean I get it if you're needed for some task no-one else can do that saves lives like cardiac surgeon, but I don't think your boss can say 'sorry Fred, you can't do jury duty we need you on the night shift packing widgets'. Pretty sure that's illegal.

According to the government's website, yes it's true. Although, I did more digging to see what obligations employers have, and they have to give a reason. Moreover, they can only do so if it will "seriously harm their business". Further, they can only do it once in a 12 month period. So Fred who works for the widget business could be excused, assuming the business was small, understaffed, and had a large order of widgets to sort. Basically, if no replacement was available and his presence was necessary to protect the business' commercial interests. It's pretty unlikely that such a company will suffer "serious harm" if an employee is missing, but it's also not out of the question, so sure, Fred's employer, in extreme circumstances, can block his civic duty.

Or let's say you could opt out ahead of time if you don't want the job. Better?

Yeah, I don't think it's the kind of job you can enforce on someone, not for a period of years anyway. And it's a job you'd need for years. You have to be able to opt out. I think also the right to resign has to be present, some people might not be able to handle the pressure that comes with such a role.

[Poopadoop]

According to the government's website, yes it's true. Although, I did more digging to see what obligations employers have, and they have to give a reason. Moreover, they can only do so if it will "seriously harm their business". Further, they can only do it once in a 12 month period. So Fred who works for the widget business could be excused, assuming the business was small, understaffed, and had a large order of widgets to sort. Basically, if no replacement was available and his presence was necessary to protect the business' commercial interests. It's pretty unlikely that such a company will suffer "serious harm" if an employee is missing, but it's also not out of the question, so sure, Fred's employer, in extreme circumstances, can block his civic duty.

Fair enough.

Yeah, I don't think it's the kind of job you can enforce on someone, not for a period of years anyway. And it's a job you'd need for years. You have to be able to opt out. I think also the right to resign has to be present, some people might not be able to handle the pressure that comes with such a role.

Seems right. You can resign from any other job. If you got this job and then realised you don't know wtf you're doing and you're stressing out, or if you get sick, or whatever, quitting has to be an option.