PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: Former Google employee Ray Westrick, who was arrested outside of ... [+]
The heat and smoke that are often generated in the months leading up to a presidential election can be matched by employees in the workplace who argue about the pros and cons of political candidates, officeholders, and hot-button issues.
The spillover from civil discussions that escalate into emotional arguments, confrontations and protests can create a crisis for companies by damaging morale, productivity and the retention of employees.
Why Google Fired Employees
In today’s polarized political environment, it’s not unheard of for workers to protest their company’s business activities. That was the case earlier this month when Google fired 28 employees for staging a protest against the company’s contract with Israel that it shares with Amazon.
In an email statement, a Google spokesperson said the workers were fired for “physically impeding other employees’ work and preventing them from accessing our facilities,” which is “a clear violation of our policies, and completely unacceptable behavior.”
The spillover from civil discussions that escalate into emotional arguments, confrontations and ... [+]
What Employees Think About Political Discussions
According to the results of a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. workers by Resume Help:
- 45% regretted having political discussions at work.
- 51% believed workplace political discussions hurt the work environment.
- 57% of women reported feeling a negative impact from talking about politics at work compared to 44% of men.
“These findings suggest that political discussions at work can have a negative impact on employees’ experience in their workplace,” Maria Correa, a career expert at Resume Help, said in a story posted on the company’s website.
“It’s No Surprise”
“With the political thermometer hitting new highs each election cycle, it's no surprise that our workplaces are buzzing with more than just the usual coffee machine chatter. These days, it feels like every cubicle and conference room has turned into a mini political arena.” Kraig Kleeman, CEO of Z-Branding, said via email.
“‘In the heat of election seasons, I've noticed a distinct shift in the office atmosphere,”Sophia Tang, founder of Nako Cosmetics, said in an emailed statement..
“In my experience, during the last presidential election, the fervor of political discussions escalated to the point where it overshadowed daily tasks, leading to a noticeable decrease in productivity. In one memorable case, a project deadline was missed due to the team being caught up in a heated debate. This experience highlighted the direct impact such discussions can have on focus and morale,” Tang recalled.
Ways To Keep The Peace
‘A Bit Of Structure’
“A bit of structure never hurt anyone. Setting up some ground rules for political banter can help keep the peace. It's not about silencing voices; it's about making sure everyone gets heard without turning the office into a free-for-all,” Kleeman at Z-Branding counseled.
Provide Space
“The mistake that employers make is not providing space and opportunity for discussions,” Tracy Pearson, a retired attorney and mediator who is an experts on workplace conflict, said via email.
“Politics is in everything we do and the choices we make. Politics align with values and beliefs. By clamping down on these conversations, it creates tension and the tension finds its way out in other ways,” she advised.
“Heated political discussions in the workplace “can lead to others feeling very uncomfortable and changing how they engage with their co-workers,” Luke Blaney, CEO of Chief Negotiations, said via email. “I've seen first hand how it can ruin a company’s culture,” he commented.
Establish Guidelines
“During a presidential election year, people are more inclined to discuss politics, and these conversations may not always be avoidable,”Justin Goldsberry, CEO & founder of Goldsberry Management Group, said via email.
“Consequently, it's important for companies to proactively incorporate guidelines into their professional development programs and handbooks, detailing empathetic approaches to avoid political discussions. This includes offering advice on how to tactfully and respectfully withdraw from them if they do occur,” he advised.
