10/28/2024

Managing Political Talk | Before and After the Election

In the midst of a contentious election, opinions among staff can get heated

With the election season in full swing and polls suggesting a neck-and-neck race on the U.S. presidential ticket, a sense of anxiety among staff—and perhaps members—is understandable. Plenty of surveys suggest that workers are stressed over the current political atmosphere. Fast Company cites one recent study by Owl Labs finding that nearly half (45 percent) of U.S. workers say that an employer or colleague’s political opinions have made them not want to go into the office. Other reports have made similar points about the depth of the divide. 

In the midst of this, CEOs might be inclined to steer away from addressing any political arguments in the office—according to a new PwC pulse survey, they’re much more concerned about the election’s impact on regulations than on organizational culture. But it would be an error to neglect how politics are impacting staff.

To that end, one point the Fast Company article makes is that there’s great value in the hybrid environment these days. "Managers should ensure that employees know they are supported if they feel working remotely will keep them focused and productive," the article notes. "It is truly a win-win scenario, as employees feel emotionally protected, research has shown that flexible working environments are positive for workplace culture, and 79 percent of managers feel their team is more productive when working remotely and/or hybrid."

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.