Wisconsin - Jury Duty Employer Obligations

In Wisconsin, 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.

An employer shall grant an employee a leave of absence without loss of time in service for the period of jury service. The employer does not have to compensate the employee for this leave.

You will receive a nominal jury duty payment from the State of Wisconsin 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.

An employee's status will be considered continuous service to the employer throughout the duration of jury duty for the preservation of seniority and future pay advancement.

An employee may not get discharged or have any disciplinary action taken against them on the basis of performing jury duty obligations.

You should be sure to show your employer your Wisconsin 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.

An employer who discharges or disciplines an employee in violation of this section may be fined not more than $200 and may be required to reinstate the employee, including retroactive pay.

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.