Jury Duty Help

Jury duty letter to your employer

Give your employer notice in writing as soon as the summons arrives. This builder writes a short, professional note you can email or print.

Details

Your letter

October 4, 2026 Dear [Manager’s name], I have received a summons for jury service, and I am required to report on [reporting date]. A copy of the summons is attached. I don’t yet know how long my service will last. Many jurors are released after one day, but if I am selected for a trial I may be needed for several days or longer. I will let you know as soon as I learn more, and I will check in about my schedule each day I am not needed at court. To keep things running while I’m out, I suggest [coverage plan: who can cover, what can wait, what you will finish beforehand]. Could you let me know how the company handles pay during jury service? I’d like to understand whether my regular pay continues and whether I should submit my juror pay or a certificate of attendance afterward. When my service is finished, I can provide the court’s certificate or proof of attendance for your records. Thank you, [Your name]

Works as an email too. Replace anything in [brackets].

By the Jury Duty Help editorial team · Last reviewed September 29, 2026 · How we research

Why put it in writing

A written notice gives your employer time to plan, shows you told them promptly, and gives you a record if questions come up later. Attach a copy of the summons. Most employers deal with jury duty regularly and will have a policy. The letter simply starts that conversation on the right foot.

Your job is protected by law

For federal jury service, 28 U.S.C. § 1875 says no employer may discharge, threaten to discharge, intimidate, or coerce any permanent employee because of their jury service. An employer who breaks the rule can be ordered to pay lost wages and benefits and to reinstate the employee, and faces a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation for each employee. The U.S. Courts point out that federal law does not require employers to keep paying you during service.

For state jury service, protection comes from state law, and the details differ. Virginia’s official Answer Book for Jury Service, for example, says your employer can’t fire, demote, or otherwise penalize you for jury service, and adds a rule about evening and overnight shifts after four or more hours of jury duty in a day. Look up your state’s rules through our state jury directory, and read jury duty and your job.

About pay

Whether you’re paid while serving depends on your employer’s policy and your state’s law. Some states require certain employers to pay for some days of service, many don’t. The letter includes an optional, neutral question about pay. If your employer doesn’t pay, compare what the court pays with your lost wages using the juror pay calculator. Real financial hardship can be grounds to ask the court for a postponement. See the postponement letter builder.

After you serve

Courts commonly give jurors a certificate or proof of attendance for their employer. Ask the jury office for one on your last day if it isn’t offered. Keep a copy for yourself too.

Sources

  1. 28 U.S.C. § 1875, Protection of jurors’ employment (Cornell LII)
  2. U.S. Courts, Juror Pay (employer section)
  3. Virginia Court System, Answer Book for Jury Service (PDF)