From the article: Nix Political Discussion at Work
In a workplace that honors diversity, every person’s politics, religious beliefs, sexual activities, and opinions about non-work issues, should, for the most part, stay home. Do you agree or disagree about talking politics at work? What have you experienced? See More Reader Responses. Share Your Thoughts
Be equal, be positive
- It is very much likely that we'd better not discuss politics at work. But if required to do so, try to view things equally and positively. Do share some positive thoughts toward our political experiences instead of arguing certain political topics. Arguing will only sharpen the differences that already take place at work. Surely everybody prefers to be at peace at work, so just create the situation we want.
- —ElsyeDamanik
MR
- I don't think it is such a good idea to talk about politics at work because they are divisive in themselves so allowing employees to discuss politics at work just furthers disagreements at work where such divisive issues need to be set aside. In short, my answer is no.
- —Guest Tlali Nchai
Disagree
- I strongly disagree. Talking about politics at the workplace is very dangerous particularly, in developing countries. Because of the lack of overall understanding of politics,many people run to fight each other and this results in a serious distraction at the workplace.
- —Guest yilma
The problem is
- As a moderate Republican, I have to admit that the political enthusiam for Obama continued to thrive on polarization and on demonization of the stereotyped right. I work in an environment where reasonable people whom I like made assumptions about my viewpoint and thus openly insulted Republican voters as ignorant and bigotted. I wish I could say that I stood by my convictions and tried to represent the more balanced truth about the other point of view (after all, we live in a political context in which it's likely that 40-50% did not vote for the President in office). But honestly, I was hurt and intimidated and immediately felt like avoiding work social situations. Was it just my problem, or had my well-meaning coworkers crossed a line in openly venting about politics at work?
- —Guest Heidi
Discuss politics at work, respectfully
- You recently said, "I can't think of a positive outcome from political discussion at work." You have also remarked about how polarized this country is. How about this for a positive outcome: Obama is the President-elect! This happened because millions went beyond the old excuses of "discussing politics isn't polite" and "I can't make a difference," and started making political phone calls, going door to door in support of a candidate, and giving what they could in small-dollar contributions. It is entirely possible that hundreds of thousands of votes for Obama came about through workplace conversations. As to polarization, there is indeed shocking polarization at the extremes, but we have now discovered that there is also a solid new American majority that wants to get past the old polarization, ignore the divisive rhetoric, and once again unite these states.
- —GeorgeLenard
