101: Election Talk At Work
The presidential election is next week. Do you talk politics at work? Could it adversely impact your career? Here are three things to keep in mind as Election Day nears:
It's a slippery slope. For most people, discussions about politics and issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage and immigration tend to escalate into arguments and don't have anything to do with the work at hand, says Bruce Weinstein in an article at BusinessWeek.com. “Along with sex, money, and religion, politics is one of the most controversial topics of conversation that exists,” he notes. And impressions can last a long time. “Can you be certain that your subordinate's political beliefs won't affect your decision to give her a raise or even keep her on?”
Use this litmus test. When trying to weigh whether or not to embark on a Romney vs. Obama conversation, ask yourself, “Does this discussion enhance productivity? Unless you're working for a political campaign, those political conversations don't,” says workplace expert Lynn Taylor in an article by Jacquelyn Smith at Forbes.com, and could even create conflict.
It isn't always divisive. But still. Remember, that seemingly no-brainer political stance you have may be opposed by someone in the next cubicle. It's rare someone will change someone else's mind, especially by ridiculing the other party. “There may be a feeling of harassment, especially if (those workers) are in the minority when political issues are brought up,” says an article at MoneyMatters101.com.
Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
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