28 U.S.C.ยง1875 states that no employer may discharge or suspend any employee for serving as a juror; any employee serving as a juror shall retain and be entitled to the same job status, pay, and seniority as he or she had prior to serving as a juror. However, the employer has discretion as to whether absence for jury duty is with or without pay.
Financial hardship is not usually a valid reason for the Court to grant an excuse by an indivdual summoned for jury duty, especially if the individual is working regularly in a permanent position with a salary or set hourly rate. Unless there are some compelling reasons for that excuse, it will not be granted.
An employer cannot request an excuse on behalf of an employee. Letters from employers are not accepted by the Court.