Help! I Need to Get Politics Out of My Office

Dear Mike,?

This election year is proving to be a bigger challenge around the office than I had anticipated.? We’re a relatively new company and we’ve been small enough that it hasn’t been necessary to nail down a rigid policy around employee behavior. As the founder and CEO, I’m thrilled by the rapid expansion we’ve seen in the last year or so – but I’m realizing that my approach to certain things needs to evolve with the company.???

It’ll help for you to know that we have an open office layout — people can sit where they like each day and very little happens behind closed doors — that has supported our collaborative culture. It reflects our company's spirit: open, fluid, and dynamic. However, this year, things have started to shift.??

Two members of my executive team (let's call them Tom and Jerry), who have been with the company from the start and have a great working relationship, were recently caught in an argument over politics in one of our shared spaces. Tom and Jerry are the bedrock of our operation; they’ve been here since those early days of late nights and too much pizza. But their heated debate in the middle of our communal space sparked a wider, ongoing division within the office, and employees are beginning to take sides.??

This situation is troubling for several reasons. One, it's disruptive. Our shared spaces are meant for collaboration and work, not heated debates. Two, it's creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. What used to be a cohesive team is now fragmenting into groups based on political beliefs.??

My gut says work isn't the place for political debates. They're distracting, divisive, and, frankly, they drift far from the reason we're all here. Yet, part of me wonders if silencing these discussions entirely is the right approach. After all, we're not just a company; we're a community of individuals, each with our own thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. But is it appropriate to leave room for that here? I can't help but think of the workspace as a sanctuary from the outside world's noise – a place where we can focus on common goals rather than what sets us apart. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel uncomfortable or marginalized. But then again, is prohibiting these discussions a form of censorship? Does it make me seem out of touch or, worse, like I'm imposing my own beliefs by omission??

How do I approach this situation in a way that respects everyone's right to their opinions without letting those opinions disrupt our work? Is there a respectful way to ask employees to leave politics at the door, or should I be facilitating these discussions in a way that won't negatively impact our work environment? I'm very much against the idea of imposing strict rules without input from the team, but I also feel a responsibility to maintain a certain level of professionalism and focus in the office.?

Right now, the office feels sort of like a zoo at feeding time. Any guidance would be appreciated.??

Sincerely, the Zookeeper?

Dear Zookeeper,?

My grandma used to insist on keeping religion and politics away from the dinner table. Well, welcome to the dinner table, and congratulations on being here. Your presence means that your company is now officially solvent enough to require a CYA policy. You can thank Tom and Jerry for your seat here.?

I’m not sure what product or service your company sells, but I’m willing to bet it isn’t heated debates. That means that, somewhere along the line, your team has lost sight of why they’re showing up to the office (or the company Slack channel) every day. If you really regard Tom and Jerry as integral members of your team, then you’re right to see this as a big problem with a potentially vast scope. If these discussions escalate in a way that makes anyone feel uncomfortable, you could be staring down the barrel of harassment and/or discrimination suits – for which the company could be liable. I understand your concern about preserving the culture and avoiding censorship, but political arguments at work aren’t just distracting; they can spiral into real HR nightmares that no one wants to deal with.?

Political debates, like any disruptive behavior, can lead to consequences that nobody wants

That’s why, if you haven’t already, it’s time to set some guidelines, even if they’re still informal: political debates, like any disruptive behavior, can lead to consequences that nobody wants – harassment claims, discomfort, you name it. I’d also recommend addressing this situation directly during the next all-hands meeting by saying something like, “It’s a politically charged year, and we all have our views, but let’s keep those discussions outside the office. While we’re here, let’s focus on what brings us together, not what could wedge us apart.” You’re going to need to have a private chat with Tom and Jerry, too. Lay it out plain and simple; their expertise and leadership are valuable, but not more valuable than the company itself. If they can’t put consistently prioritize the company over the desire for heated debate, that won’t bode well for their tenure there.??

It’s natural to have opinions, but the office isn’t the place for them

Bonding, socializing, and teambuilding are all important, but there’s a line and it isn’t hard to find. No one trips over it just because they didn’t see it. But if we need to set a baseline, the line is crossed when work is disrupted and if the office atmosphere shifts from professional to divisive. It’s natural to have opinions, but the office isn’t the place for them. Your startup’s culture has been built around personal connection, but its future (and the comfortability of your employees) depends on boundaries. An open workspace doesn’t do anything for anyone if it’s not creating an environment where people can focus on their jobs, not their differences. Don’t feel bad about making changes; you should be proud that your company has grown past the point where anything goes.??

Wishing you many more productive pizza nights, sans political toppings,??

Mike?

In today's business climate, most of us feel unsure at least a few times a week. If you have a question about a difficult workplace scenario, my inbox is always open. Message me here on LinkedIn or leave your questions for me anonymously. After 23 years as a serial fintech entrepreneur, I've averted my share of disasters. Let me help you outsmart yours.