As Political Tensions in the Workplace Ramp Up, Experts Call for Action on Civility

Richard Birke, chief architect of conflict resolution firm JAMS Pathways, provides crucial guidance in SHRM’s recent article on managing rising incivility in the workplace, particularly as political tensions escalate with the upcoming presidential election. Vicki Salemi, a career expert at Monster, underscores the urgency of this issue, noting, "As the campaigns crescendo over the next few months, there is potential for incivility and political tensions in the workplace to also increase and intensify." The article discusses SHRM’s Civility Index, which shows a troubling increase in uncivil acts among U.S. workers, with more than 201 million incidents reported daily in August, up from 171 million in May.

The index reveals that political differences significantly contribute to this incivility, a sentiment echoed by Edward J. Beltran, CEO of Fierce, a leadership development firm. Beltran emphasizes the challenge of keeping work and private life separate in today’s politically charged environment, stating that "political turmoil and societal divisions spill over into professional environments." This is further complicated by social media, which Birke identifies as a "personalized echo chamber" that exacerbates political tensions, making face-to-face interactions more challenging.

With incidents of incivility on the rise, experts like Birke and Salemi stress the need for employers to take proactive steps. Employers are encouraged to implement clear policies for respectful behavior, particularly regarding political discussions and expressions. Birke advises that company leaders model the behavior they expect from their employees, especially during these politically sensitive times

SHRM’s data shows that incivility can have significant financial impacts, with U.S. organizations collectively losing over $1.2 billion in productivity daily due to such behavior. The Monster poll further indicates that 51% of workers would consider leaving their job if their company expressed political beliefs they disagreed with, underscoring the potential impact on employee retention.

In conclusion, as the election nears, it is vital for employers to prepare for heightened political tensions. By setting clear expectations, enforcing respectful workplace policies, and focusing on the organization's mission, employers can help mitigate the risks of incivility and maintain a productive, cohesive work environment. Birke’s advice to address potential problems early is particularly salient: "You want to address a problem before it gets even more difficult to solve. Political tension is not new but it’s new in intensity... Employers should absolutely prepare for a heightening of issues in the next several months.”

To read more about this topic and how to prepare for such a scenario, click here.