Mandatory Time Off

You are required to allow employees to take time off under certain circumstances. Time off may be a mandatory benefit for the following:

Voting. Most states require you to give employees time off to vote, however, each state has its own set of mandates.
Jury duty. Employees have the right to take leaves of absence to serve as jurors in federal courts.
Military service. Permanent employees called to military service, training, or reserve duty are protected by federal law.
Family leave. If you have 50 or more employees, you must provide family leave, which requires 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year.
Pregnancy and parental leave. If you have 15 or more employees, you are subject to the federal Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which means that women affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions must be treated the same as other job applicants or employees. Parental leave is leave to care for a child, including an adopted child.
Witnesses in court proceedings. Several states have laws that may require you to give employees time off to serve as a witness in a court proceeding.