Election Season is Upon Us

Election season is upon us and with that, the potential for polarizing political discussions at work.

Key findings from ResumeHelp’s recent Politics in the Workplace Study show that 51 percent of respondents believe workplace political discussions hurt the work environment. I definitely agree with some of the survey data as it aligns with my own negative experiences with political discussions at work. Tensions can be high and cause stress and anxiety.

However, it could be an opportunity for HR and leaders to encourage and model healthy dialogue. Here are some tips for HR and leaders to help set the tone in the workplace for election season:

• Lean in to your workplace values - inclusion, safety, respect, etc.

• Acknowledge that tensions may be running high outside of work influencing behavior at work.

• Encourage healthy discussions and remind employees to listen and participate from a place of curiosity. The goal is not to change someone's mind about their political beliefs.

• Remind employees you are not stifling or banning any political discussions, however, you do want to maintain a healthy culture and minimize disruptions.

What has been your experience with politics at work? What would you add to this list?