Knowing the current political climate, people’s views on politics will unavoidably show up in office. With so many opinions and beliefs going around, such discussion can be a major distraction to work which you may be experiencing now. This is not a period when business organisations can afford to waste time and money in accommodating such value killers.
An employer must maintain a supportive and collaborative team and positive company culture and do not allow politics to create divisions or harm working relationships.
Individual politics are rooted in our own unique experiences. People can become very emotional and passionate about their beliefs, and take it personally when someone disagrees.
With today’s increased polarisation between the three main political parties, unfortunately, attitudes towards those who believe differently can be quite harsh. Political affiliations create division and impair relationships that would otherwise be productive and collaborative. It results in a hostile, contentious environment in which employees bicker and hold grudges against colleagues who have different beliefs. Isolate certain people and make people not want to interact with them at all. When colleagues aren’t getting along, morale and productivity can take a nosedive.
While it is very tempting to ban all political talk to avoid any issues altogether, this will likely have a negative effect. If employees feel that their communication is being monitored and controlled, it will create a tense work atmosphere. You can try to ban political discussions, but your staff may continue to have conversations somewhere else.
It’s also crucial that these discussions don’t affect the level of work done by employees. If the productivity starts to decline because the employees are too busy debating, remind them that they’re on company time. They can continue the discussion on their lunch break, or after working hours.
If you’re on the fence about whether political discussions are healthy for the workplace, ask yourself these questions:
Do you want to witness your team members debating potentially divisive, hot-button issues where emotions could run high and arguments could break out? Do you think it’s possible that some of your employees could feel uncomfortable or discriminated against based on the content of their co-workers’ political discussions? Is that the type of work environment you’d like for your employees?.
Do you want to expose customers to your employees’ personal political beliefs, which has the potential to alienate them? Does this serve your business’ goals? Chances are, your answers to these questions support the argument that it’s best to leave political discussions outside of the workplace.
Remedial action
Companies must be consistent in limiting types of behaviour in the workplace. You can’t pick and choose the type of behaviour that you permit, or the employees who can get away with engaging in these activities. Monitor workplace discussions and activity, and be prepared to step in before a situation escalates.
As an employer, you have a responsibility to stop any disruptions that can negatively impact the working environment, customer service or the team’s overall performance. Make all employees feel comfortable and welcome in your workplace.
Managers should set a good example by adhering to no-politics rules while in the workplace. Don’t make jokes about controversial topics. Avoid discussing politics with subordinates – even if you share the same beliefs. Stay engaged with your team and what they’re talking about. Walk around the office periodically and listen.
If you hear a political conversation in progress, politely yet firmly remind your employees that they’re off task and that these discussions belong outside the workplace. If necessary, remind them that we all have different beliefs and it’s OK to agree to disagree.
Don’t wait until the conversation becomes aggressive, disrespectful, threatening or, even worse, physical. Reminders of no-politics rules are important, especially as elections approach or certain events with the potential to inflame emotions and cause division dominate news cycles.
Let’s be real. There’s pretty much no upside to your employees talking politics at work.