MENLO PARK, Calif.,
Aug. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --
Politics may be top of mind for many people right now, but is the
topic safe to talk about at work? There's no consensus, new
research from global staffing firm Robert Half shows. While 22% of
professionals surveyed said it's appropriate to discuss politics
with colleagues, 26% noted it's never OK. Just over half of
respondents (53%) stated it depends on the situation.
Additional findings:
- Among the 28 U.S. cities in the survey, San Francisco (63%) has the highest percentage
of workers, by far, who are on board with talking about politics
with colleagues, followed by New
York (34%) and Los Angeles
(33%).
- Professionals in Cincinnati,
Phoenix (35% each), Cleveland and Philadelphia (33% each) are most opposed to
political discussions with coworkers.
- More respondents ages 25 to 40 (32%) than those ages 41 to 54
(13%) and 55 and older (9%) said conversations about politics are
acceptable.
- More women (30%) than men (20%) said it's inappropriate to
bring up politics with colleagues.
- Professionals without children (31%) were more likely than
working parents (20%) to report that political discussions are
unsuitable for work.
"Politics can be an emotionally charged and polarizing topic,"
said Paul McDonald, senior executive
director of Robert Half. "While non-work-related conversations can
help colleagues connect — particularly when working remotely —
heated political discussions can have a harmful effect on
professional relationships and productivity."
McDonald added, "Some political talk is inevitable, but workers
need to be extra sensitive to and respectful of others'
perspectives. Even with the best intentions, miscommunication
can occur and lead to unnecessary conflict."
Robert Half offers three tips for navigating political talk with
colleagues:
- Tread lightly. If you choose to participate in
political conversations, keep it light and constructive. Should the
discussion become confrontational, move on to another subject.
- Decline politely. Don't feel pressured into sharing
your political views. It's OK to bow out of a conversation and let
others know you prefer not to chime in.
- Speak up. If a colleague says or does something
that makes you uncomfortable, pull the person aside and explain
what's bothering you. For more serious matters, consult your
manager or human resources.
About the Research
The online survey was developed by
Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm from
July 7-30, 2020. It includes
responses from 2,800 workers 18 years of age or older in 28 major
U.S. cities and typically employed in office environments.
About Robert Half
Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the
world's first and largest specialized staffing firm. The company
has more than 300 staffing locations worldwide and offers hiring
and job search services at roberthalf.com. For additional
management and career advice, visit the Robert Half blog at
roberthalf.com/blog.
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SOURCE Robert Half