黑洞社区

This 黑洞社区 Newsline Podcast is available at . See the transcript below:

You鈥檙e listening to the podcast edition of the 黑洞社区 audio newsline. Learn more about 黑洞社区 鈥� the home of Thinkers, Doers, Movers and Shockers 鈥� on the Web at .

Common sense tells us that some things are better left unsaid, especially in the workplace. Nancy Bereman, a specialist in human resources management at 黑洞社区, says three topics are particularly problematic.

Bereman: 鈥淗istorically, businesses have found three topics rather problematic in the workplace 鈥� sex, religion and politics. In the current political season, many people have strong feelings supporting one or another of the political parties and, in this primary season, one candidate from each party.鈥�

Does that mean free speech has to be squashed? Bereman explains.

Bereman: 鈥淭he workplace issues, well, there is a fine line that needs to be negotiated between freedom of speech concerns and concerns for maintaining workplace decorum.鈥�

The concepts of freedom of speech and freedom of religion are arguably concepts that most Americans hold dear. But when an employee takes these perceived freedoms to such an extent that he or she uses company equipment or systems to promote personal beliefs or interfere with the ability of the organization to conduct business, an employer should feel safe in taking action.

Bereman: 鈥淥ne possible tool that can be used by an employer is a well crafted e-mail and voice-mail policy that specifies that activities that improperly utilize company equipment are inappropriate.

鈥淎 broad statement from management, that the organization has a professional work environment where respect for individual feelings and the convictions of others, is really a good idea for organizations.鈥�

And Bereman says it鈥檚 not a good idea for an employer to try to rally the troops behind a particular political candidate.

Bereman: 鈥淚n my opinion, no. In any workplace, even if there seems to be a general consensus that one candidate or another candidate is the choice, the likelihood is that there is always going to be at least one individual who is offended or is not supportive of that particular candidate. So in general, I think it鈥檚 a bad idea.鈥�

In this presidential election year, it won鈥檛 be uncommon for employees and employers to differ on which candidate is best for the country. Bereman offers a solution to the dilemma when a co-worker wants you to support another candidate.

Bereman: 鈥淲ell, one idea is for you to simply tell your co-worker that you have different views and that you feel that their views, or any political views in the workplace, aren鈥檛 really appropriate.鈥�

But all things eventually come to an end, even in a presidential election year.

Bereman: 鈥淭he good news about the United States election process is that it does get finished, at least on a periodic basis and, after the elections are finished, most people are able to move forward and return to a state of calmness in the workplace.鈥�

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for 黑洞社区.