Survey Says: Strike a Delicate Balance with Political Discussion
With the November presidential election rapidly approaching, companies may see more political water-cooler talk — albeit some virtual. It’s no secret this election is highly polarizing, no matter party lines, and data suggest employers need to walk a fine line to encourage civic participation while avoiding emotionally charged interactions.
A recent Glassdoor survey of more than 1,200 employed adults revealed that while US employees prefer to keep politics out of work, most still engage in political conversations in the workplace.
The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll firm, found:
- Three in five employees – 60 percent – believe discussing politics at work is unacceptable.
- 60 percent of employees believe discussing politics at work could negatively impact their career opportunities.
- More than one in four US employees say colleagues want them to flip parties.
- 24 percent of Republican employees and 23 percent of Democrat employees would not want to work with a co-worker who plans to vote for a presidential candidate they don’t like.
- 54 percent of employees believe companies should encourage their employees to vote or be politically active outside of work.
- 67 percent of employees would apply to work at a company that actively supports a political party different from their own.
Private employers should consider implementing a policy that does not ban all political discussions but prohibits emotionally charged interactions that may lead to a hostile work environment. Carefully draft any policy to ensure that it does not violate the National Labor Relations Act – which protects employee speech when two or more employees discuss wages and working conditions. The law does not protect employee speech that violates workplace anti-harassment or anti-discrimination policies.
Encourage employees to practice common courtesy and remind them that it is OK to agree to disagree. The key to having healthy political discussions is having mutual respect for others’ opinions.
Employers may also consider taking a neutral stance and prohibit the display or distribution of political material in the workplace. Keep in mind this can be a slippery slope, as some companies have come under fire recently for banning clothing or other paraphernalia related to social movements.
Employers should encourage a focus on connectedness. Remember that whatever the outcome of the Nov. 3 election, we are still all in this together.