Talking Politics In The Office Can Be Dicey During A Close Campaign

It's no secret that workers like to pass the time talking about sports, the latest trends and bingeable television shows, the idiosyncrasies of some co-workers, and, in today’s current climate, politics. Discussing these and other controversial topics can lead to acrimony, anger, hurt feelings and a visit to the human resources department.

Political rhetoric has become the national pastime. People unabashedly put their two cents into the argument for one side versus the other. It used to be that people would fight over their favourite sports teams at the water cooler. Now, the debates, name-calling, innuendos and bashings centre around Republicans versus Democrats.

For companies, judicially navigating political discussions in the workplace has become a challenge, especially during a contentious United States presidential general election season. It is crucial for business leaders to foster an environment that respects diverse opinions while maintaining a professional atmosphere. If not managed appropriately, the workplace can descend into chaos, arguments, finger-pointing and ill will.

It’s not easy, but by promoting a culture of respect and open-mindedness, businesses can navigate the complexities of political discussions while maintaining a peaceful and productive work environment.

Establishing Guidelines To Keep People Safe Safe -7.5%

Employers will need to get in front of the problem. Management should clearly communicate a code of conduct by setting forth guidelines for what is acceptable or inappropriate behaviour. Some leaders may discourage or even ban political conversations during working hours or in work-related communications, such as Zoom calls or Slack channels.

While it may seem like the easier path to simply ban talking about politics, completely shutting down political discussions might not be practical or desirable. For instance, the younger generations are keenly interested in social issues and want to work for companies that share their beliefs, morals and values. A ban could lead to disengaged workers and significant attrition rates, as they may feel their rights of freedom of expression are abridged.

However, a middle ground can be achieved. Businesses can offer forums and channels where employees openly discuss their views without any fear of retaliation.

Corporate executives have to lead by example. They can demonstrate how to engage in polite, civil discourse and show respect for diverse viewpoints. HR training programs on conflict resolution and communication skills can equip workers with the tools needed to handle disagreements constructively.

How Employees Can Navigate Political Conversations

It is important to remember that there is more to a person than their political affiliation. Just because you disagree with a colleague doesn’t mean that you have to become disagreeable yourself. In the heat of the moment, you may relish delivering a great verbal punch. However, the moment will be fleeting. For the sake of dunking on a co-worker, you run the risk of blowing up a long-term, professional relationship.

It’s okay to speak your mind, but you must show respect and grace to your colleagues' opinions. Instead of waiting to get your dig in, try actively listening to the other side without interrupting. If things get heated, be the bigger person by being the voice of reasoning and de-escalating the conflict.

Avoid labelling people. It’s unproductive to make assumptions about others' beliefs or treat them as inferior just because they don’t see things the same way as you. Refrain from using inflammatory language in a professional setting. You may say something that will end up following you throughout your career.

There is no need to view the discussion as a win-lose proposition. If a political conversation veers toward an ugly direction, try to politely steer it to a neutral topic. Offering a little humour, not at anyone’s expense, may cool down the tension. Also, there’s no reason that you cannot excuse yourself from a toxic conversation that you're not comfortable with.

Instead of always pointing out the differences in opinions, look for ways to find commonality. Dialling down the heated rhetoric will help maintain a positive atmosphere, which is needed to continue working together. Rather than resorting to contention, attempt to honestly understand different perspectives, as opposed to always pushing others to change their views.

Political Neutrality

Brian Armstrong, the CEO of Silicon Valley-based cryptocurrency exchange and broker Coinbase, took a stand over politics in the office during the 2020 presidential election cycle amid “a global pandemic, shelter in place, social unrest, widespread protests and riots, and west coast wildfires.” Armstrong informed his employees that he wouldn’t stand for political-oriented debates at the office. He offered severance packages to employees who weren’t comfortable with his corporate policy of “political neutrality” in the office.

In a company blog post, Armstrong wrote, “Everyone is asking the question about how companies should engage in broader societal issues during these difficult times while keeping their teams united and focused on the mission.” He continued, “Coinbase has had its own challenges here, including employee walkouts. I decided to share publicly how I’m addressing this in case it helps others navigate a path through these challenging times. In short, I want Coinbase to be laser-focused on achieving its mission because I believe that this is the way that we can have the biggest impact on the world.”

Armstrong told his staff, “Life is too short to work at a company that you aren’t excited about,” and if you are not happy, “hopefully, this package helps create a win-win outcome for those who choose to opt-out.”

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