Do Your Employees Have Time off To Vote?
As a certified B Corporation, Arabella Advisors embraces the fact that we are all part of a larger community and that the health of our society ultimately depends upon strong democratic institutions and full civic participation. As such, our company's policies have always supported every employee’s ability to have their voice heard and their vote counted— and to take the time off they need to vote. We also encourage and support employees who choose to volunteer at their polling stations (which is where I'll be, as an Officer of the Election at my local precinct. If you're my neighbor, come on by!)
This year, we have rejoined 270+ companies (including many other B Corporations like Patagonia, Eileen Fisher, and others) in the non-partisan Time to Vote campaign, which is a public statement that companies are making to increase voter turn-out in the mid-term elections. As we’re a professional services firm, most of our staff already have the flexibility to take time off. But we wanted to stand in solidarity with companies that are committed to enabling all their employees to exercise their franchise (particularly minimum wage workers, those who work multiple shifts, etc.). Movements only succeed when a large set of change agents get involved, and we are excited to be part of this. Most organizations accept (and perhaps expect) that their employees will vote, but fewer celebrate and actively encourage voter participation. If you are in a position to do this within your organization, I encourage you to join us.