Skip to main content

Political Discussions in the Workplace - Danger Zone


Discussions regarding politics seem impossible to avoid. The media is bombarding us with information as this election year there are many "firsts" in our history. Freedom of speech is our right - but is it right to discuss politics in the workplace?

Politics, personal finances and religion are topics that are best avoided in the workplace. You cannot assume that because a person may share your views on sports, entertainment, books, etc., that they also share your political views. If you are unsure of your colleague's views, it is best to avoid political discussion

Most companies do not have a formal policy for political discussions in the workplace. However, business owners, executives, managers and supervisors need to be particularly careful about debates and communicating their political views. Members of the management team should not put themselves in a position that could leave them vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits.

If a supervisor observes a discussion getting out of hand, he/she must manage the conflict before it escalates.

Do not campaign at work. If you are in management, it puts the employees in an awkward position, fearing retaliation if they don't share your beliefs.

Do not base any employment decisions on a sub-ordinate's political beliefs.

Make sure employees understand that you expect everyone to honor diverse opinions, and beliefs. Many include the phrase "political affiliations" in their harassment policies.

Employees who repeatedly attack or scorn the political, religious or other beliefs of coworkers should be subject to progressive discipline.

Freedom of expression is a good thing. However, the discussion of politics, religion and differing beliefs must not be allowed to develop into workplace conflict.

Cathy Baniewicz has over 30 years experience in human resources. Her career began at Beatrice Foods Co., where she progressed to Assistant Director of Affirmative Action and Corporate Personnel Manager. Prior to joining EffortlessHR, Cathy was Assistant Director of Human Resources at Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. (Budweiser). Cathy has her B.A. degree from DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, and MBA from George Williams College, Aurora, Illinois. Cathy obtained her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification in December of 2004.

EffortlessHR is an online Human Resources Program for small businesses. This program will guide you through the maze of human resource laws and issues. You will have access to your employee information anytime, anyplace. Federal and State laws, personnel forms, How To guides, posters and reports are at your fingertips.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Too Much Of Politics Over Policy: 5 Considerations

Is the American system of governing, and political system, wounded, destroyed, weakened, or, merely, undergoing a period, of extreme distress? Those, who have followed politics, and the national news, for decades, realize and recognize, there is widespread apathy, within our electorate, which probably, largely explains, our relatively, low, voter turnout! In addition, many, who vote, do so, based on the empty promises, and rhetoric of political candidates, as well as their perceptions, personal biases, and prejudice, and, rather than hopes and aspirations, focus on self - interest! Unfortunately, we often, witness, far too much emphasis on partisan politics, over, quality policy, and the needs of the American people. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly review, examine, and consider, using the mnemonic approach, many of these concerns, and considerations. 1. Political/ personal agenda: Who should, versus, who do, elected officials, actually serve, and represent? T...
Post a Comment
Read more

Political Blogs - How to Write Them Effectively

For years you've probably been hearing about blogs, bloggers, the blogosphere, and all things "bloggy". When most people hear the term blog they might think of some geek in their underwear writing unimportant and pointless stuff for other geeks to read. While many blogs might be like this, political blogs are of a different class. Political blogs can be very informative, enlightening, and funny. If you like politics and think you have what it takes to write a blog on politics, you came to the right place. I'm going to share a few tips with you on how to write a great political blog. Even if you don't know how to write like a journalist it doesn't matter -all you need is passion (and a little knowledge). If you don't have strong political opinions then let me stop you right there and suggest you pick a different topic than politics. In order to write a great blog on politics you have to have politics on the brain, meaning, you have to be a politic...
Post a Comment
Read more

Political Correctness and Bigotry

The word "bigot" gets thrown around all the time in politics, and in many cases it is wrongly placed. I got accused of being a bigot when I suggested that peaceful Muslim-Americans should report those Muslim-Americans who intend terrorist action. This is not bigotry, it is reason. The Muslim-American communities are tight-knit, and people there are in a position to know who is planning what action. So getting them to report the terrorists is simple common sense. I, for one, am as far from being a bigot as anyone can be. Many of my best friends are black or Hindu, and I am myself a Russian-Jewish immigrant. If I can be accused of being a bigot, then what hope is there for anyone else? Cultures differ, and practices in them differ. If something exists at a higher rate of chance, then there are going to be reasons for it, even if those are not the reasons that you expect. Most stereotypes have their roots in reality, even when those roots differ from one's expectat...
Post a Comment
Read more