Jury Duty and Shift Work

poldebruin

Apologies if this is covered elsewhere, i haven't been able to find an answer to my query on boards or the regular internet.

I've been called to Jury service, which I understand will typically last a week (but could be more depending on the case) . I don't want to have to try anything underhand or lie to get out of attending.

My problem is that I work an irregular 12 hour shift pattern. For the week in question i am to be working Mon and Tue (8am-8pm), attend jury service Wed-Fri (my rest days) and return to work Sat and Sun (8am - 8pm). Assuming jury service to continue to the following Wed, I would have to attend again on my off days, Mon - Wed and finally return to 4 night shifts Thurs - Sun (8pm - 8am).

Would this be a cause for not attending or is my employer obliged to reschedule my days off to correspond to the jury service. It seems a strange situation to think i would be on the jury for 5 of my days off and still have to work 8 x 12 hours shifts in between?

seamus

According to the law, jury service is required to be treated as working time by your employer and paid as such. So for the purposes of that week, your employer will have to reschedule your time as if you were actually working Wed - Fri.

Since your shifts are 12 hours, your employer can reasonably ask that you attend work before and after your jury service on those days in order to fill the 12-hour slot. But they probably won't, they probably have a standard plan in place for this.

poldebruin

Thanks, I will put this to them. I doubt they will have a plan in place as the majority of staff work regular office hours - we seem to be a bit of an afterthought. I'll put this to HR and see what they say. Here's hoping!