How Long Do Employers Have to Pay Jury Duty?

Your employer might not have to pay you when you serve on a jury

You answer your summons for jury duty, and you're selected to hear the case. You might be dreading long waits and dry testimony, but a bigger issue may be your paycheck. Jury duty keeps you off the clock, and the compensation the courthouse provides usually barely covers your lunch. Your employer may support you as you meet your civic duty, but it might not have to pay you for missed work. Its responsibility depends on your employment agreement and where you live.

State Law

Federal law does not require employers to pay employees for days they miss performing jury duty. Instead, that discretion is left to the state. Some states do not require employers to compensate employees for missed days, while others do.

States also have varying policies on how much employees should be paid during jury duty. For instance, Alabama calls for full wages for employees during their service period, while Connecticut requires employers to pay employees only for the first five days of jury duty. Check your state's judicial branch website or the website for your county courthouse to find out about the laws in your state.

Employer Discretion

Most employers pay employees at least a portion of their wages while they are on jury duty, even if state law does not require it. Your employment contract could have a jury duty clause that states how much you will get paid if you get summoned. Your human resources department can also advise you.

State Payment

Each state has a system for paying people for jury service. This payment varies from state to state and can be as little as $10 or as much as $50. Most states also reimburse jurors for transportation and parking costs.

Job Protection

Even if your employer doesn't have to pay you while you serve on a jury, it must protect your job while you are away. Employers cannot fire you, or threaten to fire you, while you serve on a jury. If they do, they are violating federal law and face fines and jail time.

References

• Connecticut Judicial Branch: Jury Duty FAQs
• Alabama Department of Labor: FAQs
• Wisconsin Court System: Jurors FAQs