The New World HR is facing concerning Office Politics

Every time one opens Facebook, turns on the TV or even listens to the radio someone is passionate about their ideas.  With COVID dominating the news cycle and many companies implementing a remote working environment; politics in the workplace doesn’t seem like it should be much of an issue.  However, with today’s technology, people can be divided more than ever.  Therefore, businesses should have clear guidelines about how to deal with the country’s stark political polarization that seeps into the workplace.

It has gone far beyond setting rules about whether employees should be permitted to wear T-shirts or buttons supporting political candidates. It’s much more personal, with people feeling threatened about not just their choice of candidate but their very value systems. The impeachment of the president by the House of Representatives and his ensuing acquittal by the Senate has served only to deepen the schism, with the country divided almost entirely along party lines.

People’s political views, especially after the 2016 election are so entrenched. The impeachment hearings, COVID, antifa and BLM protest and now the 2020 presidential campaign are a perfect storm to create chaos among employees.  A lot of individuals don’t respect people who don’t share their beliefs.

Avoiding the creation of a toxic work environment should be HR’s primary goal, say workplace culture experts, and that can be tough.  And if it feels like political divisions have gotten wider and behavior nastier and more personal, that’s because they have.  A Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) study from 2019 found that 82 percent of Republicans believe the Democratic Party has been taken over by socialists. (By a similar margin, Democrats think their party is just trying to make capitalism work.) Meanwhile, 80 percent of Democrats believe the Republican Party is being controlled by racists. (But 94 percent of Republicans disagree, saying their party is just trying to protect America’s values.)

Not only do many Americans dislike a person who identifies with the other political party, but they wouldn’t want their kids to marry one, either. An earlier PRRI study found that 45 percent of Democrats would be unhappy if their son or daughter married a Republican, and 35 percent of Republicans wouldn’t be happy if their child married a Democrat.

The following are some good advice to build respect in the workplace:

·         Establish office policies and hold training sessions on showing respect to co-workers, but don’t focus specifically on politics, which can have the effect of fueling conflict.

·         Make what constitutes an “opinion” and what rises to the level of harassing another worker clear—admittedly a tough task, given that some of the rhetoric and social media postings of elected officials would run afoul of anti-discrimination laws.

·         Set an example at the top. If the boss talks openly about supporting one candidate or another, employees can feel intimidated or worry they’ll be treated differently if they disagree. So managers should stay mum. Don’t use social media to discuss politics. Period.

·         Consider keeping political programs off the televisions in the office, including those in the break room.

·         Steer conversations in meetings away from politics or keep discussion to the more generic aspects of an issue.

·         Limit or ban visual displays in the office, such as campaign buttons, bumper stickers and posters.

·         Be careful not to run afoul of federal and state laws that protect certain types of speech. The National Labor Relations Board protects workers discussing unionization and workplace conditions, for example, so it’s not realistic to outright ban talk of politics at the office, experts say.

It is good to have a partner that you can utilize to help you navigate these types of issues.  Questco is there to help you inspire your labor force through a plethora of HR Services such as: Payroll Services, Benefit Plans, Benefits Administration, HR Technology and Workers’ Comp & Safety Services.  Utilizing Questco’s vast experience, your company can thrive in today’s environment.

Charlie Reeves, Senior Business Development Manager, has decades of experience in Human Resource Solutions.  He is one of the most senior members at Questco and recognized for helping clients of all sizes save money, improve labor efficiency and provide the strongest support for HR Services.  As an entrepreneurs himself, he has lived the long days and sleepless nights on the road to success.  He brings the skill and scale to support you in the pursuit of your goals.  For more information on payroll services, benefit plans, benefits administration, HR technology, workers’ comp and safety services email Charlie.Reeves@questco.net or contact him directly at 936.521.5841.