Can you believe what happened during the presidential debate? If the idea of that question popping up at work makes you cringe, you’re not alone.
As the race for the White House heats up, so increases the likelihood you could find yourself in a political discussion. Nearly half of U.S. workers said they had discussed political issues with a co-worker the prior month — a number that’s only expected to grow, according to a recent poll by Gallup. While 14 percent of those said the conversation made them feel included, 15 percent felt uncomfortable or that they were treated unfairly because of their political views.
We asked readers for their thoughts and received responses across the spectrum. Some think the issue is taboo and should never be touched at work. Political discussions can quickly spiral out of hand, destroy relationships or create a potential for retribution based on opposing political views, they said. Others said they have political conversations because it directly affects their work, they know they’re surrounded by like-minded people or they’re in environments open to those discussions. And some said they want to have civil political conversations, but don’t know how.
Here are some ways to navigate political discussions at work.
Should I talk about politics at work?
Deciding whether to dive into politics at work is often a personal decision. Sometimes, especially after a big political event, these discussions can creep up casually.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t have these conversations [at work], but in practice we are,” said Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of Society for Human Resource Management, an HR association.
Find out if political conversations are allowed. Some companies have cracked down on these discussions because of their incendiary nature. Rules aside, try to get a sense of the cultural norms at your workplace, said Heidi Brooks, senior lecturer of organizational behavior at Yale School of Management. Is it open to discussing social issues or is it more buttoned down?
Consider the stakes. Never talk politics in a job interview, even if the other person prompts you, said Vicki Salemi, a career expert at website Monster. This could create discomfort and influence whether someone wants to work with you.
Reflect on how triggered you might feel by hearing opposing views on topics that feel personal. If that feels overwhelming or upsetting, don’t do it, Taylor said.
“You have to control … your emotions,” he said, “If it’s triggering, you have to decide how to handle it. It’s not up to the other person.”
There are benefits to having civil political conversations, experts said. Those include making people feel included or heard, learning other perspectives and improving your skills for handling disagreements or listening to opposition, all of which will be helpful for other workplace issues. But beware, these conversations can quickly devolve and have lasting effects. You may learn something you didn’t want to know, and your patience and self-control may be tested.
What should I do if I want to discuss politics?
If you feel the urge to engage, go in with guardrails, experts advise.
Approach the conversation with curiosity and interest in other perspectives instead of as a debate, Brooks said. You’re not likely to change anyone’s opinion, so consider what you’re saying, how you’re saying it and be open to accepting opposition, Salemi said.
“If you want to have the conversation to control others’ opinions, that will backfire,” Brooks said.
Keep the conversation high-level, monitor your demeanor and stay calm, Salemi said. Set a time limit like 15 minutes so it doesn’t drag on, she added. Or you can say, “I think it’s time to get back to work,” if it runs long.
You can ask if the other person wants to talk about politics before diving in, said Brooks. Practice empathy and active listening skills. Don’t interrupt, and listen to learn, not react, Taylor said. Reflect on what other people said and let them know they’ve been heard, even if you disagree. Avoid making it personal, despite how personal it feels, he added. Breathe, pause and step back before responding. Remember that differing political opinions are a part of workplace diversity, he said.
Aim for it to be inclusive and for everyone to walk away positively instead of feeling attacked or unheard.
What if I don’t want to have the conversation?
Don’t be afraid to remove yourself from environments where people are chatting about politics. That may mean relocating to avoid one nearby, even if you’re not involved, Taylor said.
Let people know you don’t talk politics at work or use the power of the pivot, said Salemi. You can say, “Yes, I watched the debate, but I also watched the game. Did you see that?” or “I’d rather not talk about politics, but what are you streaming?”
If it’s a conversation you don’t want to avoid, like one with your boss, keep it vague, Salemi said. Use phrases like, “it was interesting,” and know that you don’t have to express your personal beliefs. Listen, and respond politely before getting back to work.
What if the conversation gets out of hand?
If the discussion takes an unexpected turn, don’t be afraid to call it, experts say.
Be transparent about your emotions by saying, “I didn’t realize I had such a strong feeling about this, I’m going to take a pause or exit,” Brooks said. Add a little humor with, “I got into a conversation over my head. I’m sorry for taking us there, but I’m going to awkwardly exit now.”
If others get upset, remind them that you respect their opinions and back out with: “This escalated really quickly. I didn’t mean to bring this into your day,” Brooks said.
The key is learning how to disagree better, even when things get out of hand.
Don’t leave with bad blood. You may have to work with that person, soon.
“The impact of the conversation might last well beyond the election,” Brooks said.