When Larry Kidd, CEO of :hire, a leading talent solutions company based in Ohio, decided to implement a Civic Time Off policy, he knew it would be transformative. Empowering employees to take time off for civic engagement was critical to his broader vision.
“I recognized and understood the importance of Civic Time Off shortly after former U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue talked about the value of teaching civics in school at one of our Board meetings,” said Kidd. “When we had speakers discuss the impact that the absence of civics education had on the communities, I took note. It was easy to participate when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation introduced the program because I was already a believer.”
When Kidd first asked Rachel Strawser, a project manager at :hire, to help write their Civic Time Off policy, she hadn’t given the idea of participating in democratic processes much thought beyond voting. Her perspective quickly changed, and she was thrilled to get started. In 2022, she applied to be a local poll worker in Jackson, Ohio.
“I thought I would work a poll book, check people in, or something easy like that,” recalled Strawser. “Then they asked me to be a site manager because I had the right administrative background. I’m so glad I said yes.”
“There’s a lot you can learn about somebody working together through a 12-hour shift at the polls. You’re going to be side-by-side with someone with different political views to make sure it’s a fair and honest election.”
This polling place didn’t have a site manager until Strawser stepped up, and this experience was profoundly meaningful to her. There are critical poll worker shortages across the country. In Ohio, that includes counties like Athens, Clermont, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Huron, Madison, Medina, Miami, Morrow, Portage, Van Wert, and Wayne.
“Giving time off when you are a small business can be a challenge,” Kidd acknowledged. “If an employer has only a few employees, sacrificing one or two for a couple days can be a burden. However, it is important to encourage and protect our right to vote and our other freedoms. Offering Civic Time Off emphasizes to our employees and the community the value we put on our freedom. We are truly blessed to live in a country where we can participate in free and unhindered elections. Making time for those who want to help is a small sacrifice for employers.”
At The Civic Trust®, we applaud :hire’s commitment to civic engagement and believe their example is a model for other organizations. By empowering employees to participate in the democratic process and make a tangible impact on their communities, :hire is not only strengthening America’s civic fabric but also cultivating a stronger workforce.
“My hope is that Civic Time Off becomes a standard part of every benefits package, no matter the size of the company,” Strawser said. “It has the power to bring unity back to our country.”
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About the authors
Clara Pino
Clara is director of digital content and marketing at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
