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
I'm not against
- Well, obviously, it depends on your desire. If you want to discuss it, you are free to do it. If all of the others are not against it. You should just be sure that everybody is ready to support this conversation and nobody will be bored.
- —Guest Alicia Rodriguez
Discuss politics at work, is not logic
- I don't see the reason for discussing politics at the workplace while you are mandated for certain duties and responsibilities during your working hours. Therefore, I personally suggest that there is plenty of time in which someone should play at politics such as weekends and public holidays. Playing politics at working place may sometimes cause misunderstanding among the staffs who were serving the same Institution/Organisation.
- —Guest John Chieny
Employer promotes discussion
- My employer actively promotes political discussion in our staff meetings and uses it as a way to point out the benefits of voting a particular way. It has always made me uncomfortable and others have privately commented that they don't appreciate the rhetoric. I think it is extremely inappropriate and possibly illlegal. Any suggestions on how to handle this? (Susan says, it depends on what the employer is conveying. If the employer is talking generally about the economy, how a particular political party's stance will hurt your business, how laws and bills will negatively affect your company, the conversation is appropriate - even necessary. Be glad the employer pays attention. You still have a job. Millions don't. If the conversation threatens you in any way vis a vis, you won't have a job if you don't vote x, call your state department of labor and an attorney. It's okay to discuss, not okay to threaten. You could tell your employer that the political discussion makes you uncomfortable. If others feel the same way, even better. There is safety when a number of you are willing to express your thoughts. But, don't confuse economic and employer issues with politics.)
- —Guest Anne
Discussing Politics in the Workplace.
- I believe it's a lingering discomfort just coping with chronically impossible/difficult employees in the workplace. To discuss politics can cause distractions, intimidation, assumptions and upset the balance of the workplace. I believe in keeping communications straightforward and simple.
- —jacwal
Talking politics at work.
- How insecure people must be. Possibly they are small minded, as well. I have a rule, actually several rules. I always find out why, and I pay attention. I notice that lots of people define themselves as a Republican or a Democrat. The very same people, when I hear them speak out, they always, speak of the president with praise or with disgust. Sometimes they speak the same of The Administration.( Maybe they should look up the word figurehead.) Why do you think that is? The reason is it's difficult to challenge 60 million people and hold that multitude accountable, but very easy to be singular. Furthermore, the box that they are in metaphorically speaking is small and the box they watch is very big. As naïve as they are they don't realize TV personalities gain audience by saying and acting dumb. So they take on that type of behavior that they admire. Emulation of this type is unhealthy for the brain. Tony Dahlin Venice
- —Guest TonyDahlinVenice
Diversity Is About Differences
- I think we should all be able to express our views BUT never should try to force them on others. I think diversity IS about sharing our thoughts and ideas and beliefs. Just as if we are black or asian or white...it is obvious we are...so why not be able to talk about our ideas. That's what makes our world so amazing and special. As long as we don't try to CHANGE others we should be excited to hear about other views and excited to share ours....how else can we grow and learn and maybe WE will change as we open our hearts and our minds to other ideas. As a white man living in Asia, I'm so privileged to learn about other cultures and others' religions and enjoy learning so much about the ways other people think and feel and act!
- —Guest allan
Discussing Politics at Work
- Discussion is fine; disrespect is not. Blending and compromise are tools that help. Understanding where people are coming from leads to sensitivity.
- —Guest tuppy
Disagree
- It's crazy, it should not be allowed at work. Too many view points that turn into heated debates and tempers that can't be held. Suddenly, everbodys' view of others change and it becomes a very tense atmosphere.
- —Guest enrico1
Politics at Workplace
- I disagree about talking about political matters at the workplace.
- —Guest r.Alexander
Discuss Politics at Work Is OK
- As much as we tend to avoid to talk about politics at work as such as we cheat ourselves at the end of the day. We vote and it is politics which drive the trend of any business in a country. Talk about it but don't allow it to divide you.
- —Guest stephen
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
