Talking Politics in The Workplace: Democracy or Doomsday?

by Fef Posted 2012/08/21 20:00:00

Related Topics: 2012 Election, Politics, Work, Employment, Business, Office, Employees

560 votes
Read all 279 opinions
Lightning Report View Results and Demographics + View Demographics

Loading Demographics... Click an icon to see demographic results Display unknown and private
	Democracy	201 votes	36%
	Doomsday	359 votes	64%

Susan Solovic suggests people do not talk politics in the workplace. However, others argue that we need to talk about politics with whom we spend our days with to keep democracy alive. Silencing or avoiding the important issue of state, local and national politics for 8-10 hours per day limits our democratic vigilance.

Ms. Solovic writes in her blog about the dangers of allowing politics in the office: Local, state and national elections can stir passions and create conflict among your employees or hard-feelings with customers. Political tensions among your team members can damage workplace relationships as well as impact employee performance and productivity. Worse case, you might lose good employees and even customers. To minimize potential problems, many small businesses have created policies to keep partisan politics out of the office.
ABCNEWS.GO.COM reports: Susan Solovic shares advice for employers

+26

Add a comment above

ProudProgressive 2012/08/21 19:08:33

Democracy

+9
As long as the "discussions" don't get in the way of office productivity and don't degenerate into personal attacks and namecalling, I think people should be able to talk about whatever they want to talk about. I can understand not wanting employees to spend four hours a day arguing politics, but if they can get their jobs done then why not?
>> See Replies

More polls by Fef

GrooVy 2012/09/14 17:50:03 (edited)

Democracy

Don't be like fools who say the important issues in life are taboo for discussions! Stand up and let your voice be heard for your beliefs. This is what we soldiers died for you to have the freedom to do! If you find out you work with fools, quit! Values are more important then money. Money is worthless, it comes and goes...

reply
Sadierose Dobson 2012/09/13 01:51:34

Doomsday

People take politics and religion very seriouly and for the most part their opinion is the only opinion that matters. I have learned not to discuss either at work nor to take offense by comments made by others.
Usually I just ignore other peoples rants unless racist or bias comments are made. Then I let people know that they are allowed their opinion as long as that type they keep to themselves when they're around me.

reply
NUCKLEDRAGGER 2012/09/12 00:20:05

Doomsday

If I as a conservative should bring up any problem with today's administration, I will be not joined in stimulating conversation but called names and my sanity will be questioned.

reply
Randu 2012/09/11 23:45:05

Democracy

If you have a job, be grateful you have one, because somewhere close to 19% of our fellow American citizen are either presently unemployed-- for an average of more than 27 weeks--and/or have just "given up" looking. "Don't talk about oolitics, unemployment, and the economy while at work"? Why not. That's like saying we should keep quiet while our workplace is in flames. There was a time when American citizens had the privelege of refraining from discussions of "politics" and "religion". They were seen as the third rail to be left alone. If we don't discuss these issues today-- with our friends and close colleagues in the workplace, we are "burying our heads in the sand". Don't discuss these issues of governance and faith, and you live will see the opportunity to discuss "anything" of political or social content "out of bounds". I have neighbors who emigrated several years ago from Russia. They've witnessed what is slowly and methodically happening within the United States throughout most of their lives. It took them 25 years to taste "freedom", and they are fearful of losing it once again with the policies of this present Administration."KEEP YOUR HEADS DOWN, AND YOUR MOUTHS SHUT, ALL OF YOU "64 PERCENTERS" correctly identified as "DOOMSDAY FOLKS"., and, remember these words ...

If you have a job, be grateful you have one, because somewhere close to 19% of our fellow American citizen are either presently unemployed-- for an average of more than 27 weeks--and/or have just "given up" looking. "Don't talk about oolitics, unemployment, and the economy while at work"? Why not. That's like saying we should keep quiet while our workplace is in flames. There was a time when American citizens had the privelege of refraining from discussions of "politics" and "religion". They were seen as the third rail to be left alone. If we don't discuss these issues today-- with our friends and close colleagues in the workplace, we are "burying our heads in the sand". Don't discuss these issues of governance and faith, and you live will see the opportunity to discuss "anything" of political or social content "out of bounds". I have neighbors who emigrated several years ago from Russia. They've witnessed what is slowly and methodically happening within the United States throughout most of their lives. It took them 25 years to taste "freedom", and they are fearful of losing it once again with the policies of this present Administration."KEEP YOUR HEADS DOWN, AND YOUR MOUTHS SHUT, ALL OF YOU "64 PERCENTERS" correctly identified as "DOOMSDAY FOLKS"., and, remember these words of caution.... the day will come when YOU, and YOUR CHILDREN...will lose both heads or your freedoms! You'd better discuss "POLITICS" wherever you can; whenever you Can: and while you STILL CAN, BECAUSE, "THOSE WHO DO NOT LEARN FROM HISTORY, ARE DESTINED TO RE-LIVE IT." ( And another word of caution, if you're too young, or too disinterested, to study the long histories of tyrany and national socialism--and the toll they've taken in lives and fortunes to those who followed the tyrants "like sheep" or were "slaughtered as free men" than...you'd better "brush up" on these subjects, very quickly). God Save America, and the American People, from a life worse than death!
(more)

reply
matthew.420 2012/09/11 23:10:48

Democracy

+1
It's not that bad as long as you sensitive types don't get all pissed off that someone thinks differently than you.

reply
Mary B 2012/09/11 20:53:04

Democracy

As long as it is during breaks and not work time, not getting paid to talk about anything but work at that time. It has been interesting to see though, ones who voted for obama last time have changed their minds.

reply
Reykjavik 2012/09/02 15:35:09

Democracy

If we fail to talk politics then we will fail as a Democratic Republic. If we value our Constitutional Rights then politics should be a topic for a moment. Honestly, I'd get bored talking politics all day. "Ain't nothin' gonna break my stride Nobody's gonna slow me down, oh no I got to keep on moving"

reply
anon 2012/08/31 18:25:46

Democracy

+1
I wish you had, it depends on whether your co-workers can behave like adults as a choice. As long as it's respectful, it's democracy. My dad's best friend when I was growing up was his opposite politically, but back then, people could agree to disagree. If you work with the type of people who think only republicans are patriotic or that only democrats care about others, then forget it. You're talking with puppets. doomsday.

reply
Klynn 2012/08/29 15:35:54

Democracy

+2
However, it could turn into doomsday! Be careful anytime you are talking about politics!

reply
guitar kid 2012/08/28 19:46:37

Doomsday

+2
Talking politics in general is doomsday

reply
Dave 007 2012/08/26 11:47:20

Doomsday

+1
This will open up a lot of harassment cases.

reply
roman 2012/08/25 20:02:08

Doomsday

+1
learned the hard way

reply
Scrappyang 2012/08/25 11:18:16

Doomsday

+3
I wish there was a third choice of something else. It can be done if it is debate and not a fight. Sadly, I don't think that is possible in most instances. The only time it works is a government and/or political science class. For someone like me who has never voted a straight ticket in my many years of voting, sometimes these work place arguements and blanketed name calling and use of the word "all" or "Not one" really can hurt. Those type of things can ruin friendships.

reply
Butch 2012/08/25 08:52:17

Democracy

+2
It's only harmful to liberal democrats. If it doesn't effect your efficiency it should be ok.

reply
R.J. 2012/08/25 04:33:59

Democracy

The workplace is where democracy gets it Power.

reply
Garciataria 2012/08/24 16:02:19

Doomsday

+2
Talking politics ANYWHERE = doomsday.

Plus, political preference should not be a factor if you get along with someone or are friends with them.

reply
George Zook 2012/08/24 15:26:23

Doomsday

+1
unfortunately ... it is doomsday ... most of the non-work related conversations around the office bore me to tears ... talking politics would spice things up but most people can't deal with other political opinions in a constructive way

reply
Tre 2012/08/24 15:01:53 (edited)
NUCKLED... to Tre 2012/09/12 00:31:18

+1
Amen, I totally agree with you, what this country needs is more than two parties. For all you Progressive voters who are having to hold your nose to vote in November, think green.
Jill Stein is the choice that does not make your head hurt.

reply
donna.robinson.102 2012/08/24 14:34:03

Doomsday

+1
While people are free to do what they choose, i feel two subjects that people should stay away from at parties and the workplace is politics and religion, both can become heated and explosive turning friends into enemies very quickly.

reply
Chris 2012/08/24 04:24:09

Doomsday

Been there, gets very heated.

reply
Any 2012/08/24 04:06:29

Doomsday

+2
I grew up in a fairly liberal household and I spent the summer in Texas working at an internship. I'm open to finding out about others' opinions (why else would I be on sodahead) but the overwhelming conservative nature of every conversation I was in made me feel alienated. As someone that was more liberal than my coworkers, I felt uncomfortable even speaking in such situations. I'm sure that a conservative in a liberal office would feel the same. This actually influenced my decision to not take the job offer from that company.
I think that politics should DEFINITELY be left out of the workplace unless the conversation is between people who are close and know each other well.

reply
Sarah Alexander 2012/08/24 01:31:07

Democracy

+2
As long as the discussions aren't happening when work should be and are kept calm/adult, I don't see an issue. However, a lot of people are passionate about what they believe and will let it change how they see you as a person or feel working around you, which is too bad, but why it could be considered a good general rule to keep such thoughts personal.
I work in a research group and we talk about politics pretty much off the bat - we hit all the hot topics, abortion, religion, gay rights, etc within the first week. It's nice to know when working with people that much, it doesn't hurt when you have similar ideas in many respects.

reply
Sadiero... to Sarah A... 2012/09/13 02:01:53 (edited)

Must be nice. Om a moderate Republican by oarty but i vote common sense. I didn't vote for President Obama but have spent plenty of time countering comments about how assasination would solve our countries problems or he was born in Iran etc you fill in the blanks. Or the religion fanatics that mention gangs and gays in the same breath as if they have anything they in common in behavior or life goals.
Many Americans are still very biased and ignorant and being conservative or libral seems to have very little to do with it.

reply
caninev69 2012/08/24 00:15:29
Selene 2012/08/23 23:09:28

Doomsday

I'm a college business student and have worked in business during summers. The first thing you hear when you take Business Administration, is not to talk about religion or politics in the work place.

reply
T J 2012/08/23 22:58:51

Doomsday

+2
All you have to do is read the politics section of Sodahead and that's all the proof you need.

reply
dzzshadz 2012/08/23 21:36:12

Doomsday

+2
You should if possible keep politics to yourself at home.

reply
Rust 2012/08/23 21:06:53
♥K14 2012/08/23 21:01:10

Doomsday

I think a lot of people don't understand democracy. It often seems to be used as something closer to "political freedom of speech" (or similar) rather than it's actual definition...

reply
Paul L. Beavens Jr 2012/08/23 20:01:19

Doomsday

+2
the old saying still holds true DON'T discuss politics,sex or religion at work and you'll do just fine people can be way too empassioned on these subjects

reply
joan.sloane 2012/08/23 18:23:47

Doomsday

Always a bad idea. In extreme cases it can be a career killer.

reply
jeremyperryfranz 2012/08/23 18:09:54

Doomsday

Stay out of the external and internal workplace politics, you'll live longer

reply
BILL 2012/08/23 17:23:58

Democracy

If you don't want to talk about Politics or any other subject for that matter then you don't have to it's that simple, that's why we have a Democracy, well what's left of it

reply
Mikey 2012/08/23 14:59:46

Doomsday

+1
Leave it the hell alone. Religion and politics are such hot button issues with some people you will end up with allies you don't want and enemies you don't know about. 2008 turned my office into separate camps divided by race, income, and you name it. Awful! Don't work there anymore. The place I work now forbids it. Good idea.

reply
Brian Griffin 2012/08/23 14:08:22

Doomsday

I hate politics, I don't even care if there is a an election or whatever

reply
shadow76 2012/08/23 13:35:54

Democracy

+1
Only if you have mature adults who can disagree without getting hostile.

reply
NUCKLED... to shadow76 2012/09/12 00:36:03

+1
I wish that was the norm instead of being the exception.

reply
shadow76 to NUCKLED... 2012/09/12 00:45:34

I agree! Fortunately we have that at my work.

reply
Playerazzi 2012/08/23 12:19:05

Doomsday

Unless you are sure the other guy agrees with you, then you'll only end up arguing, and it will adversly affect the working environment.

reply