Paid Jury Duty Service: Does Your State Require It?

Beginning January 1, 2027, Illinois employers with 25+ employees will be required to pay workers for jury duty service. Additionally, employers cannot discharge, threaten to discipline, intimidate or coerce employees who are summoned to appear.

Employees are required to present a jury duty summons to their employer within 10 days of issuance.

Steps Employers Should Take Now:

• Review their current policy and make sure it’s compliant with the new law.

• Educate or train supervisors so they know how to respond to employees who present them with a jury duty summons.

• Make sure payroll is aware of how to code their time and that your payroll system is ready.

• Communicate your new policy to employees.

Keep in mind, there are eight states that require employers to either pay full wages during the jury service time or have some language requiring payment (i.e., Colorado requires regular wages up to $50/day for the first three days). These 8 states include: Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, and Tennessee.

Additionally, 18 states prohibit employers from requiring employees to use their paid time (vacation leave, personal leave, etc.) while serving on a jury. These states include: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah and Virginia.

This link here provides you with a state-by-state analysis of jury duty pay requirements.

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