Birkenstock Joins Movement Giving Employees Paid Holiday to Vote

Sandal-maker Birkenstock said it would give its U.S. employees a paid holiday for the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential election, joining a movement aimed at encouraging workers to show up at the polls.

The company made the announcement on a conference call Wednesday with one of its high-profile customers, Bob Weir, a founding member of the band, The Grateful Dead. Weir is also on the board of headcount.org which registers people to vote at rock concerts.

Birkenstock soles in Goerlitz, Germany.

Photographer: Arno Burgi/DPA/AFP via Getty Images

Closely held Birkenstock, based in Germany, employs 200 in the U.S. Its sandals have long been a symbol of the American counter culture. David ...