November 6—Election Day—is upon us. Most Americans are finding themselves glued to the TV for the 2012 presidential election debates and analysis, much like they were when the 2012 Summer Olympics were the highlight of mainstream TV. Most of us have heard the statement from friends, family, and the media in past elections: “This is the most important election of our lifetime.” Arguably, this upcoming election is as important as those in the past. Therefore, the hype of this upcoming election may cause unanticipated chatter in the workplace that may be difficult to control, consequently causing distraction for employees. It begs the question for employers: does politics have its place in the workplace or should employees be asked to leave it at the door?
As most HR and business leaders understand, politics in the workplace can hamper productivity, especially if conflicts arise due to differing opinions. Employers may develop formal expectations on the expression of political opinions in the workplace to avoid the potential clash of political beliefs between employees. Often employers develop a policy within the handbook, which define disruptive behavior or disrespectful conduct (misconduct) related to political beliefs and state that it may be subject to disciplinary action. When there is a framework for how employees should behave in these situations, employers are better able to swiftly handle these situations and with little conflict.
Other employers may choose to be open to embracing the sharing of ideas and beliefs that rather than prohibiting it altogether. Bill Leonard, in an article for SHRM, suggests, “Diversity of opinion and ideas isn’t a bad thing; in fact, employers can treat the situation much like they handle multicultural diversity in their workplace. Treating every employee with dignity and respect is crucial to avoiding unwanted conflict and preventing acrimony.”
The bottom line is that employers should lay the ground rules for how political discussions may exist in the workplace. Regardless of what they choose to allow, communication that is respectful should be a priority for all organizations.
Do you allow political discussion in your office? Share your thoughts below: