Political debate at work; is this really a problem?

The other day at lunchtime, I had a nice friendly political chat with one of our secretaries. Neither of us indicated whom we planned to vote for, nor did we ask each other. While we were both reading the newspaper in the office kitchen, we simply discussed a few current events.

The next day I read an HR expert talking about employer policies suppressing political discussion and expression at work because it may create bad feelings and divisiveness. Of course, not all employees who may choose to express political opinions are as tactful and open-minded as I am ;-) but I see this as part of a broader trend that I find undesirable: the notion that it is impolite to discuss politics and religion, and that it is unproductive to do so because you can never change anyone’s mind and you just make them angry.

What kind of democracy will we have if everyone accepts this notion? IMHO it is essential, particularly with a major election coming up, to discuss politics with people who may have different views.

In “Mourning Needs Not Met,” Susan M. Heathfield wrote about a company policy that banned “statements or actions, or political or religious discussions, and anything else that could be divisive or mean different things to different people — including office flag displays.”

Susan said:

I have serious concerns about this and other similar workplace policies. They violate freedom of expression. They deprive employees of a way to express who they are and what they believe and value. They deny people the opportunity to tell the world what they want to share about themselves. . .

I am not a fan of policies. I believe your workplace needs fewer policies, rather than more. You need the policies and rules which will provide a safe, orderly, free of harassment, fair, consistent workplace. [This company] clearly violated employee mourning needs when its managers asked employees to remove flags from their work stations during the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance.

In a follow-up story, “Reducing Sources of Conflict at Work Just Makes Sense,” Susan quoted extensively from a response she received from a reader challenging and opposing her position:

Taking all possible steps to ensure a pleasant and productive workplace is a wise move, and it seems to me that [the company's] policy would further that goal. . .

Interesting discussion, well articulated on both sides: check it out.

Sphere: Related Content