The 2024 election season is in full swing—and it’s nearly impossible to escape. With 24/7 news coverage, social media, and casual workplace conversations, politics is omnipresent. For workplace leaders, navigating this charged atmosphere and managing potential conflicts among employees can be a considerable challenge.
Does Political Talk in the Workplace Affect Employees?
The impact of political talk at work is sometimes underestimated. The complexity of the subject combined with strongly held personal beliefs and shifting generational norms can be a recipe for negative effects on employees' sense of belonging, as well as productivity.
- A 2020 Gartner survey of 500 employees found that 26% said that year's election had a "moderate or big impact on their ability to do their jobs."
- The 2022 SHRM Politics at Work Study reported that "45 percent of U.S. workers say they have personally experienced political disagreements in the workplace, compared to 42 percent of U.S. workers in 2019."
- In 2023, Glassdoor reported that roughly 3 in 5 employees discussed politics with coworkers over the previous year, and that younger workers were more likely to expect their employers to take political positions on issues important to them.
2024's high-intensity election season has likely seen similar - or larger - impacts. In fact, Forbes reports that a 2023 Pew Research study found that the majority of people say they feel exhausted (65%) and/or angry (55%) when they think about politics.
Given the generally negative emotions around politics, workplace political conversations can become a significant source of stress and discomfort for employees.
- Such discussions often involve deeply held beliefs and values, which can quickly turn personal and lead to feelings of alienation or tension among colleagues.
- The workplace is an environment where collaboration and teamwork are essential, yet differing opinions can create divisions and foster an atmosphere of conflict rather than unity.
- When employees perceive a lack of respect for their views or feel pressured to conform to the majority opinion, it can lead to anxiety and decreased job satisfaction.
Ultimately, these dynamics not only impact individual well-being but also can disrupt team cohesion and hinder overall workplace morale.
Tips for Employees
To help employees navigate the political landscape in the workplace, experts recommend the following:
- Avoid engaging in heated political debates, especially with coworkers. Keep discussions factual
and civil. - Be mindful of how political conversations may impact your working relationships and
professional reputation. - If you feel uncomfortable with the level of political discourse, politely disengage or redirect
the conversation. - Seek to understand different perspectives, even if you disagree. Approach discussions with empathy and an open mind.
- Focus on your work and responsibilities and avoid letting political distractions interfere with
your productivity.
What Can Employers Do?
The SHRM Politics at Work Study reported that in 2022 just eight percent of organizations had "communicated guidelines to employees around political discussions at work."
“Organizations need long-term plans in place to address the anxiety and stress from election loss, political differences and the impact this has on employee performance and wellbeing.”
Stephanie Bolster McCannon, quoted in Success
Employers have a responsibility to maintain a respectful, productive work environment for all employees. Doing so requires balancing employees' interest in participating in the political process while maintaining civility, productivity and psychological safety in the workplace.
3 KEY AREAS OF FOCUS FOR EMPLOYERS
1. Establish Clear Policies
A key step is establishing clear policies about appropriate workplace conduct and discussions related to politics. These policies should emphasize professionalism and respect, providing employees with clear guidance on acceptable behaviors.
At a minimum, the policies should cover:
Communication Guidelines
- Prohibit hostile, discriminatory, or harassing speech related to political views or affiliations
- Discourage employees from engaging in political debates or "water cooler" discussions that could disrupt workflow
- Encourage civil, fact-based exchanges if political topics do arise, with a focus on understanding different perspectives
Use of Company Resources
- Restrict the use of company time, equipment, and channels (email, messaging, etc.) for partisan political activities
- Prohibit the display of partisan political materials in shared workspaces or common areas
Reporting and Enforcement
- Outline a clear process for employees to report concerns about inappropriate political conduct
- Specify potential disciplinary actions for policy violations, such as warnings, suspensions, or termination
2. Cultivate a Culture of Respect and Inclusion
Beyond establishing policies and guidelines, employers can foster a culture of respect and inclusion by:
- Modeling appropriate behavior from the top down. Leaders should strive to maintain objectivity and avoid sharing personal political views or engaging in debates with employees.
- Encouraging open communication channels for employees to express concerns about workplace tensions or conflicts related to politics.
- Providing resources such as diversity and inclusion training that help employees understand how differences in opinions, backgrounds, and values can coexist in a respectful workplace.
- Creating opportunities for civil discourse on potentially divisive topics, while promoting understanding and empathy among colleagues.
- Recognizing generational differences in political attitudes that are amplified by having five generations in the workplace.
3. Mitigate the Effects of Political Talk in the Workplace
Employers may also need to implement additional measures to actively mitigate the disruptive effects of political discourse in the workplace.
Provide Neutral, Educational Resources
- Offer employees access to objective, nonpartisan information about the election process, key issues, and candidate platforms. This can help counter the spread of misinformation or one-sided narratives that may arise from informal discussions. Make these resources easily accessible and encourage staff to refer to them when political topics come up.
Limit Partisan Activities on Company Time/Property
- Reiterate policies restricting the use of company resources, work hours, or shared spaces for partisan political activities. This includes prohibitions on campaigning, distributing campaign materials, or organizing get-out-the-vote efforts. Consistently enforce these rules to maintain a neutral work environment.
Facilitate Constructive Dialogues
- Schedule facilitated discussions or workshops where employees can engage in structured, respectful exchanges about political topics. Recruit neutral third-party moderators to guide the conversations, establish ground rules, and ensure all perspectives are heard. The goal is to promote understanding, not consensus.
Provide Conflict Resolution Support
- Equip managers with the skills and resources to address political conflicts or tensions that arise on their teams. This may involve training on conflict de-escalation techniques, mediation strategies, and disciplinary protocols for policy violations. Empower employees to report disruptive incidents through clear reporting channels.
Monitor Workplace Dynamics
- Regularly solicit feedback from employees to gauge the impact of political discussions and identify any emerging issues or areas of concern. This could involve pulse surveys, focus groups, or one-on-one check-ins. Use these insights to refine policies, update training programs, and make other adjustments as needed.
Politics and the Workplace - A Path Forward
As the 2024 election season intensifies, it’s natural for political tensions to spill into the workplace, increasing stress and potentially impacting productivity. However, with the right strategies in place, employers and employees can maintain a respectful and collaborative environment.
While election seasons are temporary, the lessons learned in managing political discourse can have lasting benefits, fostering a more resilient and respectful workplace culture. By addressing these challenges head-on, organizations not only minimize the risks associated with political talk but also build stronger teams that thrive on diversity and mutual respect.
Ultimately, the goal is not to avoid political conversations entirely but to create a space where employees feel heard, valued, and able to contribute to a productive and positive work environment—regardless of their political views.
When you partner with Ulliance, our Life Advisor Consultants are always just a phone call away to teach ways to enhance your work/life balance and increase your happiness. The Ulliance Life Advisor Employee Assistance Program can help employees and employers come closer to a state of total well-being.
Investing in the right EAP or Wellness Program to support your employees will help them and help you. Visit https://ulliance.com/ or call 866-648-8326.
The Ulliance Employee Assistance Program can address the
following issues:
• Stress about work or job performance
• Crisis in the workplace
• Conflict resolution at work or in one’s personal life
• Marital or relationship problems
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• AND MORE!
References:
From Taboo to Team Talks: Political Conversations in a Changing Workplace; Glassdoor; Aaron Terrazas
https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/workplace-politics-conversations/
Gartner Survey Shows 47% of Employees Are Disrupted by Political Discussions at Work. [Press Release]; Gartner
https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-02-18-gartner-survey-shows-47--of-employees-report-being-di
How to Handle Unprecedented Workplace Tension This Election Season: A 10-Step Action Plan. ; Fisher Phillips https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/news-insights/how-to-handle-unprecedented-workplace-tension-this-election-season-a-10-step-action-plan.html
SHRM Study Reveals 20% of Workers Mistreated Due to Political Views; Society for Human Resource Management
https://www.shrm.org/about/press-room/shrm-study-reveals-20-workers-mistreated-due-to-political-views
Tips for Managing Politics In the Workplace During Election Season; Success; Alex Frost
https://www.success.com/how-to-handle-politics-at-work-during-election-season/