New Hampshire - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In New Hampshire, employers are required to provide you with unpaid time off for reporting to jury selection or jury duty. You may have to show your employer your jury summons in order to be given the necessary leave.

Your employer can never punish you for missing work to attend jury duty. However, if missing work would cause your employer undue hardship, it may be considered as an acceptable jury duty excuse.

Employers do not have to pay wages while employee is on leave to perform jury service.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of New Hampshire for each day you serve on a jury, as well as potential reimbursements for travel expenses. However, jury duty pay tends to be a token amount rather than actual compensation.

No employer may deprive or threaten or coerce an employee who receives and responds to a summons, serves as a juror, or attends court for prospective jury service.

You should be sure to show your employer your New Hampshire jury duty summons letter when you receive it, and update them with your jury duty dates if you are assigned to a trial, to ensure that you receive your mandatory time off.

The employer may be found in contempt of court.

A discharged employee may, within one year, bring a civil action for: the recovery of wages lost as a result of the discharge, and for a reinstatement order. Damages recovered shall not exceed lost wages. Successful employee allowed reasonable attorney's fees as fixed by the court.

If you have been punished for missing work due to jury duty, contact the joror office of the court that summoned you, and they will assist in ensuring that your rights are protected.