New report outlines steps HR leaders can take in navigating politics at work
Policies governing political discussions in the workplace remain limited in organisations despite persistent reports of tensions and disagreements over these controversial conversations.
This is according to a new poll from HR and data insights provider Brightmine, which found that 47% of employees in the United States are in workplaces that do not have a policy on political discussions at work.
Among employees who work in organisations with a related policy, 21% said the guidelines limit political activities or discussions. Another 17% said they have strict prohibitions on political conversations.
Political tension at work
The findings come despite persistent tensions and disagreements emerging from political conversations, according to the report.
More than three in five employees (64%) said they have experienced or witnessed a political disagreement at work in the past year. Among them, some of these disagreements:
- Have escalated (11%)
- Have become more hostile or disruptive (8%)
The findings align with a report from Resume Builder released ahead of the 2024 US presidential election, which found that 66% of managers believe political tension and conflict will escalate in workplaces regardless of the election outcome.
In fact, the lead-in to last year's election already saw conflicts erupt in 27% of workplaces, with more than half reporting verbal altercations.
"The lack of clear guidelines around politics in the workplace continues to leave organisations vulnerable to cultural and compliance risks, particularly as political tension grows," the Brightmine report read.
Disagreement over political policies
But even employees are divided on whether rules on political conversations should be introduced.
According to the report, 53% of employees believe workplaces should restrict political discussions, while 47% are against the rule.
Some 40% of employees also expect their leaders to remain neutral when political issues intersect with company values, slightly higher than the 38% who said their organisation should speak out.
Amanda Czepiel, U.S. Country Manager and Head of Content at Brightmine, said the rise in political tensions at work is a test for organisations on how well they understand and support their people.
"The solution will look different for every organisation, but one thing is clear: leaders should implement clear, enforceable guardrails governing politics in the workplace that are rooted in organisational values, reflective of what matters most to their employees and aligned with the law," Czepiel said in a statement.
"Otherwise, there's an enormous risk to culture atrophy and business performance."
The report also urged HR leaders to train managers on conflict resolution and respectful dialogue, and equip employees with resources on well-being during politically charged times.
It further urged HR leaders to:
- Monitor generational and cultural differences to tailor communication strategies
- Promote civility as a core competency through leadership behaviours and employee engagement programmes
- Encourage open communication and transparency in key decisions to align with organisational goals
"Politics in the workplace is not a passing trend, it is becoming a permanent factor that organisations need to address when shaping policies, managing culture, and supporting employees," the report read.
"HR leaders should create frameworks that foster civility, clarity, and inclusion to better facilitate workplace politics."
