In today’s polarized world, political banter often spills over into the workplace. While public discourse is healthy, there are places where it is best not to discuss politics — including the office. Here are seven golden rules for keeping the workplace conflict-free.
Assumptions are dangerous: Never assume that your work colleague shares your opinions on politics, whether it’s left-of-center or to the right. Also never assume that your colleague is on “the other side.” Assumptions can affect your behavior at work and how you treat that person, even without realizing it. Human beings are complicated and we don’t really know what someone else is thinking unless it is said out loud.
If you want to be vocal, consider the consequences: Whatever your perspective, you can intimidate people if they don’t agree with your worldview. You can make people feel like they don’t belong, and that can lead to a toxic atmosphere at work. In some cases, people may leave a workplace because they feel politically alienated from the culture.
Two people can be ‘right’: Let’s face it — we’re way too divided as a country and people can take politics very personally, both online and in-person. If you volunteer a political opinion at the office and you’re passionate about it, the person next to you might be just as passionate in total disagreement with you. They will think they’re just as “right” as you think of yourself, and this can lead to real conflict. Why start that shouting match?
The workplace isn’t a debate on social media: Chances are your employer’s bottom line has nothing to do with politics one way or another. The point of employees showing up to work is to be productive, offer new ideas and help their employer succeed. This starts with workplace culture: Healthy work environments are productive when it comes to the job at hand. And the job probably isn’t to flex your political muscles; it is to do your actual job.
If you’re an employee, put yourself in the boss’s shoes: If you report to a boss, try to put yourself in their shoes or those of the business owner. Would you want your employees arguing about politics instead of being productive? Or would you want them to do their job right for the customers and clients who matter most?
Politics exists elsewhere: Even if you don’t discuss politics at work, there are so many opportunities to opine outside of working hours, so it’s not like people are deprived. From social media and community events to friend get-togethers and family vacations, if you really want to get into politics, there will always be a time and place. It has never been easier to be political, even with random strangers online, so you can hold your fire until then. Facebook, Reddit, TikTok and X will be there for you.
Respect, respect, respect: Remember Aretha Franklin’s famous song. Liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, most people want to be treated with respect and treat others with respect. This means accepting that people will disagree and then agreeing or respectfully disagreeing. Democracy only works when people are kind and open-minded, even — and especially with — “the other side.”
The takeaway
The best sign of respect at work is to refrain from expressing political opinions entirely. Staying out of the fray has the most upside with the least amount of downside, whether you’re an employer or employee. There is a place for politics, but work isn’t it.