Talking Politics in The Workplace: Democracy or Doomsday?
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2012/08/21 20:00:00
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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:
ABCNEWS.GO.COM reports:
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
Read More: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/talking-polit...
Top Opinion
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ProudProgressive 2012/08/21 19:08:33Democracy
+9As 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?
Politics is discussed often, but it does not predominate conversation. It's not a big deal.
Sig Heil!!
I thought Liberals were so big on tolerance and diversity. Of course we both know they are neither. But maybe you can stop goose stepping long enough to realize there is a whole world of people out there who are capable of expanding your narrow world.
Expand your mind, get out of your comfort zone and mingle with people who are not just like you. Hell, you may even learn something!
Your office sounds sort of Stepford Wives to me! Yuck!
Since government rules your lives, certainly it needs to be discussed whenever possible. Many don't have the time and many others seem not to give a crap.
Remember that your employer is paying for your time, so check with your boss.
I'm somewhat careful about it. But you just have to know who you're talking to and how to de-emotionalize the conversation. Those who are completely irrational and base all decisions political on emotion are easy to spot and avoid.