Thread: Getting voting advice from your paycheck

saw this on the azcentral site (one good use of facebook :P) and though it was pretty sad, trying to influence your employees to vote for the party you want. I also hated reading people trying make it out to be the entire corporation endorsed this, when it seems fairly clear it was one franchise acting independently.

Ohio McDonald's gives voting advice in paychecks

A handful of McDonald's employees in northeastern Ohio received handbills in their most recent paychecks suggesting they vote for three Republican candidates.

"If the right people are elected we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above our present levels," the insert said. "If others are elected we will not."

I really see nothing wrong with it. A previous employer encouraged employees to vote for an amendment at the state level. My current employer strongly encourages everyone to go vote, he doesnt tell who to vote for but will let you know who he votes for.
I have already made up my mind on all the races I will be voting for. Typically I vote more liberal locally and more conservative at the state level and national level.

Its okay to urge people to vote, or share who you would/did vote for (in fact I believe the 2nd would be covered by the 1st amendment). Its different to tell your employees, "Vote for these guys and you'll get more raises and benefits."

Originally Posted by flame

I really see nothing wrong with it. A previous employer encouraged employees to vote for an amendment at the state level. My current employer strongly encourages everyone to go vote, he doesnt tell who to vote for but will let you know who he votes for.
I have already made up my mind on all the races I will be voting for. Typically I vote more liberal locally and more conservative at the state level and national level.

Stevie Fucking Wonder. You really can't see the difference between an employer encouraging someone to vote and threatening someone to vote for a certain candidate?

There was no pointed threat to any one. It wasnt vote for X or lose your job. They simply suggested that raises and benefits could be better if the political powers are different. I suppose if they told them to vote for a democrat it probably would have never been posted here. Nothing new or radical or OMG here, business has been doing this forever. Businesses endorse candidates with signs and such all the time.

Originally Posted by Fovezer

It's illegal, too.

"No employer or his agent or a corporation shall print or authorize to be printed upon any pay envelopes any statements intended or calculated to influence the political action of his or its employees; or post or exhibit in the establishment or anywhere in or about the establishment any posters, placards, or hand bills containing any threat, notice, or information that if any particular candidate is elected or defeated work in the establishment will cease in whole or in part, or other threats expressed or implied, intended to influence the political opinions or votes of his or its employees."
Ohio Revised Code - Title XXXV Elections - Section 3599.05 Corrupt practices - employer shall not influence political opinions or votes of employees. - Ohio Attorney Resources - Ohio Laws

Doh!