Jury service exemption

silverharp

A quick one, I start a new job in a couple of weeks but have just been called for jury service which will be the 3rd week into the new job, is this a stong enough reson to be exempted?

seamus

Nope.

It's not your fault that you've been picked for jury service, so the new company can't really do anything about it. I'd let them know now though.

Sparks

Actually, in cases where this happens, can the time spent on jury duty be taken off your 20+9 holiday days legally?

Gobán Saor

Sparks wrote:

Actually, in cases where this happens, can the time spent on jury duty be taken off your 20+9 holiday days legally?

Absolutely not! The employer is required to give you paid time off for jury duty. Section 29 of the juries Act, 1976 provides:

29.—(1) For the purposes of any contract of service or apprenticeship or any agreement collateral thereto (including a contract or agreement entered into before the passing of this Act), a person shall be treated as employed or apprenticed during any period when he is absent from his employment or apprenticeship in order to comply with a jury summons.

(2) Any provision contained in any such contract or agreement shall be void in so far as it would have the effect of excluding or limiting any liability of the employer in respect of the payment of salary or wages to the employee or apprentice during any such absence.

Fey!

It can depend on your role and responsibilities within the company.

A few years ago I got called up for jury duty. I had no problem with that; I feel that it's something which I should do.

Unfortunately, I work in a family business, and at the time the only other people working in it were my parents, who had booked holidays 6 months previously which coincided with me being called up. This meant that in order for me to take a jury position, our business and sole means of income would have had to be shut down for the duration of my jury service. I contacted the court clerk, and received a letter 2 days later excusing me.

Had I not been alone at work, I would have served on the jury.

Overheal

Well thats because that would have otherwise contravened the act...somewhat of an irony in the circumstance.

While serving Jury duty; How much pay are you entitled to? I would simply assume however many hours you were scheduled to work during normal-time: but sometimes these acts specify (like 8-hours and whatnot)

Gobán Saor

Overheal wrote:

While serving Jury duty; How much pay are you entitled to? I would simply assume however many hours you were scheduled to work during normal-time:

Correct, you are simply paid your normal pay for the time you would have worked had you not been on jury service.