Managing Discord and Social/Political Tension in The Workplace

Prevent Political Conflicts from Disrupting. Your Workplace This Election Season.

Do employees have a right to free expression? What can employers control to maintain civility and productivity, especially with the upcoming election? News Flash! A recent SHRM study found that U.S. organizations collectively lose more than $1.2 billion daily in reduced productivity due to uncivil behaviors at work and another $828 million every day due to absenteeism caused by workplace
incivility.

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2024 brings an extraordinary level of divisiveness, economic distress, heightened attention to social issues, discord over international conflicts, and it’s an election year. Fear, stress, unrest, resentment, and conflicting views have all contributed to high levels of tension, discord, and even anger that overflow into the workplace.

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Employees believe they have the "right" to wear political or social messages, openly express their positions, and disparage or attack those who do not share their views. Societal incivility is rampant and spills over to create hostile, angry, and disruptive workplaces. The election will not bring an end to this. Post-election discord will only add to the issues you are already dealing with. The winning side may gloat, and the losing side may feel anger. Unfortunately, all of this combines to create a very tense workplace.

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Can you control it? Learn how employers can manage divisiveness to maintain an effective, civil workplace and understand where the legal hot spots are before your workplace reaches its boiling point. We’ll review what policies and practices can help during this time of tension.

• What are employee rights of expression?
• What rights does an employer have to control speech or social political/personal expression in the workplace?
• Know your legal framework and how to exercise control without risking liability.

This program covers:

• Current major discord issues.
• The legal framework—the federal and state laws providing employer control or employee rights.  Learn how to effectively balance these and stay in control.
• Employer’s right to control the workplace.
• What is “protected speech” for employees, and what are its limits? and liabilities?
• Staying in Control of Your Workplace.
• Get ahead of it! – Foundation policies for maintaining or establishing civility in these tumultuous times.
• Social-political expression and tensions—allowing or prohibiting logos, display of messaging.
• What if the employer espouses a social position and an employee disagrees?  Can they wear or express counter messages in the workplace?
• Establishing and maintaining a respectful, civil workplace.