Dr. John Articles
| Better to leave political discussion to after hours |
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| Written by Dr. John McFerran |
| Saturday, 07 February 2009 00:00 |
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Of the four taboos of social conversation, most people know better than to discuss three of them in the workplace. Asking a co-worker how much money they make could lead to a heated exchange. Challenging a colleague to defend their religious beliefs might escalate into a contentious debate. Talking openly about sex invites personal offence and even harassment charges. Yet, it seems that politics remains the one hot-button topic that is acceptable for water cooler discussion. With the coalition drama on Parliament Hill and the multi-year U.S. presidential election process fresh in our minds, it may be tempting for some people to reveal their political stripes at work. These cards, which used to be held tightly to the chest, are now willingly put on the table. It could be because we are now able to consume an endless stream of news content 24 hours a day. Or it could be a symptom of a culture that encourages people to disclose so much of their personal selves to the world. Reality TV shows, cellphone cameras, social networking websites and blogs cheer us on to put it all out there. Since we spend a great deal of time with our co-workers, it may seem only natural to chat about the political scene and share our opinions since we are already accustomed to thrashing around ideas and hashing out everyday matters. A 2008 Workplace Insights survey revealed that 50 per cent of people do talk about politics in the office; another 47 per cent choose to listen quietly and keep their views to themselves. Of all respondents, 48 per cent of men and 26 per cent of women said they knew their colleagues' political leanings. But there are many reasons why it's advisable to nix political discussions at work. It isn't only that disagreeing opinions can cause conflict and lingering tension between workers who are equally passionate about their stance. Politics can be a distraction, and a time-consuming one at that. When was the last time anyone was engaged in a brief political conversation? Politics can also create an uncomfortable situation, especially when an employer openly expresses an opinion or publicly backs a candidate or cause. Employees holding a contrarian view are put into a difficult position -- questioning the boss may have repercussions, while saying nothing may appear as if the employee has suddenly caved in on their beliefs. Management can relieve the pressure by making it clear that their opinions do not necessarily reflect those of their employees and that no one will be discriminated against for not sharing their viewpoint. Other ways to manage controversial discussions, political or otherwise, at work:
Even in the heat of the moment, be sure to take the high road by listening and remaining respectful of opposing views. No one wants to work in a homogenized workplace where difference of opinion is silenced and diverse perspectives are repressed. It's OK to agree to disagree on many areas. And we do know positive outcomes often come from healthy debate. Yet it is important that first and foremost, the workplace respects all employees equally and provides them a comfortable environment in which to work and contribute. The bottom line is that the need to engage in a lively political discussion is best met after hours.
http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jan2008/ca20080115_994641_page_2.htm |