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Time Off to Protest & Vote Policy

FooEngine respects the rights of employees to participate in civic life, including voting in elections and attending lawful protests. This policy explains how time off for these activities is handled.

FooEngine remains politically neutral as a company. Employees' personal political views are their own.

Time Off to Protest

Employees who wish to attend lawful protests must take annual leave to do so.

  • Protest attendance is not treated as paid special leave.
  • Requests should be submitted and approved in the normal holiday booking system.
  • Employees should give reasonable notice where possible.

Conduct

When attending protests:

  • Participation must be lawful and peaceful.
  • Employees must not represent themselves as speaking on behalf of FooEngine.
  • FooEngine branding must not be used in connection with protest activity.

Injury or Illness

If you are injured at a protest and require time off to recover, this should be reported and recorded in line with the Sickness & Return to Work Policy.

If an employee is arrested or charged in connection with protest activity:

  • There is no automatic requirement to inform FooEngine.
  • However, if the matter may reasonably cause serious reputational harm to the Company, it must be disclosed to senior management.
  • Disciplinary action may be considered in line with the Disciplinary & Capability Procedure.

Time Off to Vote

FooEngine encourages employees to exercise their right to vote in local and national elections.

Where possible, voting should be done outside working hours. However, where this is not practical:

  • A reasonable period of paid time off will be granted to vote.
  • Normally this will not exceed up to 4 hours, subject to operational needs.

Employees should inform their line manager in advance and agree on suitable timing.

Time Off to Serve as an Election Official

Employees appointed to serve as election officials may request one day of paid leave for this purpose.

  • At least seven days' notice should be given to the line manager.
  • Approval is subject to business requirements.

Recording Leave

  • Protest attendance → recorded as Annual Leave
  • Voting or election duties → recorded as Civic / Election Duties

No Detriment

No employee will be treated unfairly for taking agreed time off to vote or to perform election duties in line with this policy.