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Summary: Political discussions in the workplace can be risky because they might lead to arguments.
Key Take Aways
- Talking about politics in the office can create tension and rifts.
- Arguments can blow up, even leading to physical violence or termination.
- Posting strong political opinions on social media could backfire as well.
With the November election coming up and the related anxiety in the air, it may be a good time for a reminder that discussing politics in the office could be a bad idea.
Considering how charged presidential elections can be and that this one may come down to the wire, it may be best not to talk much about it with co-workers and risk upsetting them. Restraining oneself from indulging in such talk may prove challenging, but it also could save your job.
Forbes recently had a very good article on the subject which included reference to a harrowing scenario where two employees were fired for allowing a political argument in the office to become a physical altercation. (The two were hot over their differing views on the comments made by Missouri Rep. Todd Akin on rape and pregnancy.) Another issue was the potential for female employees there to feel the supervisor who expressed views in agreement with those of Akin's could be creating a work environment hostile to women, and file a lawsuit.
So two people lost their jobs arguing about issues that had nothing to do with their work. Are they the only ones to experience that kind of career and life disruption? Not likely and at least on the surface, it appears to be something that is not reported enough about. Who wants to admit they lost their job for arguing and fighting about politics?
Political discussions in the office can offend co-workers and alienate yourself from them in damaging ways. Bonds between people who work together can be fragile enough without the upset that can be caused by different political views.
The office isn't the only place to be careful when discussing politics. One must also be mindful using social media, because certain public posts can be just as damaging. Reportedly, a chief financial officer for an Arizona medical supply company was fired for posting a video on YouTube in which he criticized a Chick-fil-A employee.
Image Credit: Fred Schaerli, Wiki Commons
