It could be challenging to avoid discussing politics at work as election season rapidly approaches. Although these discussions might be a constructive platform for staff members to voice their opinions, they can also escalate tensions and disagreements within the team.
While opposing sides may have good intentions, they can disrupt rapport and create tension within the company. A highly functioning team should work together amidst personal differences to ensure overall harmony and productivity.
Additionally, a constructive leadership team recognizes that their employees are also citizens who will naturally discuss pressing political issues. Data from the Society of Human Resources (SHRM) highlights this: 26 percent regularly discuss politics in the workplace, 42 percent report political disagreements, and 12 percent experience bias based on political views.1
Given these challenges, how can companies maintain workplace civility during election season? Let’s explore eight strategies.
Strategies for a Respectful Workplace This Election Season
Research shows that 31 percent of employees experience conflict at work due to their political beliefs.2 This figure highlights the pressing need to address political conflict in the workplace. Politics, after all, is one of the subjects where people tend to disagree strongly.
It is important for organizations to take proactive steps to create a respectful environment.
Here are some ways you can manage political discussions within the workplace:
1. Outline clear policies.
Establish clear guidelines for political conversations at work before election season heats up. Share a policy outlining expectations for respectful dialogue and specifying disruptive behavior’s consequences. You can establish a policy that encourages all employees to voice their opinions but ensures that these discussions remain respectful and pertinent to the workplace.
By defining these boundaries up front, you can build a structure that promotes fruitful dialogue. Review the current policies and highlight any non-partisan or non-political clauses already mentioned. When discussions lead to physical conflict or affect production, discuss the repercussions among employees.
2. Create an atmosphere for candid conversation.
Setting boundaries is essential, but it is equally important to encourage open dialogue amid political strains. Politics affect the daily lives of our employees and clients. That is why it can be difficult to avoid discussing matters that could potentially impact our employees’ future.
Fostering a safe space for conversations allows your employees to express their ideas without worrying about criticism or retaliation. This also gives you insight into team dynamics. When employees can maintain respect despite differences, your team is on the right path to a more collaborative environment.
As political tensions ease, your team will ideally come out with a stronger sense of respect for each other.
3. Be the example.
Your actions as a manager shape the culture of your workplace. Your approach to handling touchy subjects, including politics, has a direct impact on how your staff reacts. You set the standard for what is acceptable, especially during politically charged discussions.
Show compassion and understanding to encourage others to consider alternative perspectives. You can demonstrate that collaboration is still achievable even in the face of political differences.
When political talk becomes common in the workplace, you can help employees through constructive and critical analysis. Say what policies they like or dislike about their candidates. Point them toward relevant and factual sources. This may also enhance their critical thinking capability, which will be beneficial to their performance later, too.
4. Focus on common goals.
Remind your group of their common objectives and guiding principles. It is common for team members to become engrossed in their individual viewpoints, but as a leader, you can assist in drawing their attention back to the things that really bring them together—their shared goals.
For example, if a political debate starts to get heated, step in and guide the conversation back to the team’s current project or focus on a client goal. Be a good reminder that you are all still in a professional environment, expected to deliver tasks at the end of each day.
5. Observe and confront tensions early.
Encourage your employees to communicate their concerns directly with you or their colleagues. When employees feel comfortable sharing their concerns without fear of repercussions, they are more inclined to bring them up before they become more serious.
Offer mediation as a means of resolving disputes, if necessary. Arrange a meeting with the parties concerned to assist them in facilitating a productive dialogue and pursuing a resolution. Office cubicle debates may escalate into shouting matches when left unchecked.
Let employees know that their chatter can distract others. We must respect the apolitical or those who prefer not to discuss politics at work.
6. Inspire self-care.
Emotionally taxing conversations about politics can arise, particularly when polarization and hostilities escalate. Take breaks from work and from talks about the election as needed.
It is also critical to remind staff members that it is okay to leave political discussions when they become too much to handle. They can also avoid discussing candidates or the government if they feel uncomfortable. Confidently taking care of their mental and emotional health makes them more attentive to the work at hand.
You can also implement a “No Politics” hour or day to give the workforce a break from political subjects. During this hour, promote topics that the employees commonly enjoy.
Watch out for bullying or bickering when the election concludes, and a new administration takes office. A few weeks after the election, people who supported the winning or losing teams may still clash.
7. Remind Employees of Organizational Values.
Aside from reinforcing policies pertaining to politics, be ready to remind employees about the organization’s core values. During office hours, we expect employees to successfully complete their tasks while upholding an environment of respect and professionalism.
Ride out the wave of the election season with grace. Stay true to your company’s mission and vision while also supporting your employees’ right to think and vote.
8. Avoid Political Endorsements at Work
Each employee has their own political preference. While discussing politics at work is unavoidable, you can ensure that employees—even top management—avoid endorsements at work. This can be polarizing for a team with diverse members.
Furthermore, political endorsements may divert employees’ attention from their main objective: to work in the company. Discussions on politics can cause strong emotions and divert focus from productivity.
This last tip may not apply to companies that choose to publicly endorse a party or a candidate. This is also acceptable, as management can motivate their teams to excel at work while simultaneously exercising their right to free speech and voting.
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Performance Staffing, specializes in providing tailored solutions that address the unique challenges organizations face. Our rigorous screening processes and personalized matching help you find candidates who can contribute to a harmonious workplace.
Contact us today to learn more about our staffing solutions and how we can support your hiring needs while promoting workplace harmony.
Reference
- Society for Human Resource Management. Politics in the Workplace Survey. SHRM, Oct. 2019, www.shrm.org/content/dam/en/shrm/topics-tools/news/inclusion-equity-diversitySHRM-Politics-in-the-Workplace-Survey-Oct-2019.pdf. Accessed 23 October 2024.
- Buffett, Jacques. “1 in 3 Gen Z Employees Lie About Their Political Beliefs at Work.” Enhancv, 4 Sept. 2024, enhancv.com/blog/discussing-politics-at-work/. Accessed 18 Oct. 2024.
