Business leaders should ensure their companies have proactive policies , plans and strategies to mitigate issues and preserve morale , professionalism and output .
as mundane as a photo , piece of art or trinket on a video call can cause strife in the workplace if it connotes something political or otherwise controversial .
Employer policies should include whether discussing politics , wearing political clothing or displaying political paraphernalia are permitted . If they are not , the policies should include a carve out for any topics covered by the National Labor Relations Act , such as a discussion among employees of company wages related to a politician ’ s support for a $ 15 minimum wage .
Employers should eradicate ambiguity from company policies and communicate expectations with clarity .
Lead by example
Business leaders should lead by example . Modeling professional behavior and setting an apolitical tone will signal how others should handle political issues .
Employees routinely look to their leaders for insight into what may be permissible , particularly when employee handbooks are vague , overlooked or outdated . When they see their supervisors and company executives avoiding commenting on political matters or expressing political views , they will likely note that they should follow suit .
If they see company leaders commenting , they will feel it is acceptable to do the same , which can lead to an unproductive — or even toxic — workplace .
In extenuating circumstances , it may be impossible to avoid politics completely . In those cases , leaders should ensure that they remain neutral in their words and actions . Doing so will help stave off discomfort in the workplace and alienation of customers and clients .
Consider clients and customers
Business leaders should also consider that their clients and customers may have diverse political and cultural convictions . Companies can bolster those relationships by steering clear of contentious political matters . Every member of a company ’ s workforce , from the CEO down to the newest entry-level employee , can impact how stakeholders view the business . Maintaining focus on matters that are directly related to the company will keep controversial political issues at bay .
Alienating stakeholders is bad for business . Company representatives should avoid alienating clients and customers by sharing political commentary with which they may not align .
Refocus on mission and values
As political and cultural situations evolve , businesses may find it an excellent time to revisit their mission statements and values . These ideals can project , both internally and externally , a steadfast commitment to doing good for the community at large , clients and employees . Those values should stand as a daily reminder of why employees do what they do .
Encouraging focus on a company ’ s work and mission is a strong strategy that may provide a significant buffer against tension in the workplace caused by political division . It would also be appropriate to continually remind all employees , including executives , to limit political talk . Members of a company ’ s workforce will likely have diverse viewpoints , and respecting individual thought is essential .
Encourage employees to disconnect
With politics playing an outsized role in the current era , it is easy to get swept up in the fervor of current events . Between navigating dynamic business , economic and personal issues related to the global pandemic and the constant barrage of political turmoil , employees can be well served by disconnecting periodically from news coverage and social media to help maintain focus and reduce anxiety .
Employers should consider offering access to apps and programs that assist employees in disconnecting . It can be healthy for them and beneficial to the company .
By adopting these best practices to mitigate or eliminate political discussion in the workplace , employers may be able to prevent discord . Doing such will lead to a better work environment with strong morale and enviable productivity .
Josh Smith is Sacramento district manager with Insperity , a human resources and business performance solutions provider . For more information about Insperity , visit www . insperity . com .
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August 2021 | comstocksmag . com 21