How to facilitate political conversations at work

A how-to guide on keeping political conversations productive at work

October 22, 2024 5:30 AM

With the presidential election right around the corner, employees may want to discuss their beliefs more freely at work, but not all of them feel safe enough to do so — which could affect recruiting and retention in the long run.

Thirty-one percent of workers overall experience conflict at work due to their political beliefs, according to a recent survey from resume building platform Enhancv, with 5% having already been disciplined at work for expressing their political opinions. As a result, searches for "ethics of talking politics at work" jumped by 540% and "can you get fired for talking politics at work" are up 100%, according to an analysis of Google search data from online education platform EduBirdie.

"An office shouldn't feel like a debate ring," says Avery Morgan, a workplace productivity expert and chief communications officer at EduBirdie. "Respectful communication about politics at work is essential."

So far, the most controversial topics to discuss at work are presidential candidates, abortion and LGBTQ rights. And while one in five employees feel threatened discussing politics at work, according to Enhancv, Gen Z is almost twice as likely to feel threatened as baby boomers. A third of Gen Zers choose to lie outright about their political beliefs when engaged in conversations at work.

This kind of behavior is not sustainable, according to Morgan, especially when employees — specifically young talent — have been vocal about their needs regarding the kind of culture they expect from their workplaces. If organizations want to achieve low turnover and long-term employee retention, they'll need to have a plan in place for traditionally taboo topics.

"By promoting mutual respect and allowing different opinions to coexist, we boost productivity and create a safer workplace," she says. "Moreover, this approach can also provide a strategic advantage. Colleagues who are polite and considerate are viewed more favorably, increasing their chances for promotions and leadership roles."

In an effort to help workplaces create healthier and more conducive workplaces, Morgan shared a few do's and don'ts for employers — and employees — to rely on this election season.

Do: Set boundaries

"Discussing politics at work isn't a crime, but you do need to establish clear rules around what's acceptable. It's a topic best avoided with subordinates, for instance, even if you share similar beliefs. You don't want to cause discomfort or encourage talk of favoritism. If it doesn't seem appropriate, steer the conversation elsewhere and remind your colleagues you prefer to keep work and politics separate."

Do: Practice curiosity

"Not every mention of politics needs to descend into an argument. If you find yourself in a political conversation and feel uneasy, avoid confrontation by asking open-ended questions that help you understand others' perspectives. Rather than specific positions, ask about their values, which will encourage more thoughtful dialogue — and foster a culture of understanding rather than division."

Do: Find common ground

"Political discussions can easily distract from goals and strain professional relationships. If differing views are draining team spirit, you need to keep politically charged conversations focused on work. For instance, you might discuss how upcoming policy changes could impact your sector — a topic more likely to unite you than push you apart."

Don't: Overshare your beliefs

"A discussion or two in the run-up to an election is often fine, but overdoing it can quickly become overwhelming and create a hostile work environment. You don't need to share your entire voting history with your colleagues, pass judgment on different ideologies, or bring politics into every conversation."

Don't: Use risky humor

"Like political beliefs, humor is subjective — and any joke that pokes fun at somebody's views can easily backfire. Making comments such as 'Oh, you must love paying more taxes!' or 'Guess we know who you'll be voting for!' may seem light-hearted, but not everyone will see eye to eye. To be safe, stick to humor that doesn't touch on sensitive topics."