Leading in the Workplace in a Divided America: How Can It be Done?

With Engagement Down, U.S. Workers Could Be Particularly Vulnerable

The effects of political discussions at work extend beyond the employees who choose to participate in them. There are also costs and benefits associated with overhearing others engage in political conversations, experienced by 38% of U.S. workers.

Research by Christopher Rosen and colleagues published in January 2024 in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that the costs of hearing political conversations could include impeded goal progress and lower job satisfaction for employees who perceive themselves as having dissimilar perspectives, while the benefits could include a more positive mindset from overhearing conversations they agree with.

The effects of overhearing conversations may depend on how people perceive their coworkers and the content of the conversations.

Employee engagement hit an 11-year low in the first quarter of 2024 — improving only slightly in the second quarter — and people’s perceptions of being cared about at work have declined sharply since 2020. This could leave workplaces particularly vulnerable to the corrosive effect of politics as the election unfolds. Gallup polling after the 2016 election found a significant effect of the election on workplace engagement, albeit short-lived. With employee engagement lower today than in 2016 and 2020, engagement’s ability to buffer any potential negative effects of political conversations at work may be diminished this election year.

What can leaders do to help?

Emphasize a culture of respect and inclusion. Leaders should model healthy communication strategies such as active listening and seeking to understand others’ points of view. Modeling these behaviors can inspire employees to follow suit and reinforce a culture of respect and inclusion where every voice is heard and valued.

Ensuring that every employee understands how their organization’s values ​​translate into daily interactions can help create a workplace where colleagues treat each other with empathy, even amid disagreements. Leaders can reiterate their organizational values ​​and ensure every employee knows how those values ​​translate to the way colleagues are expected to treat one another.

Foster trust and understanding between colleagues. Leaders can help create an environment where people feel safe to respectfully voice differing views without fear of retaliation or dismissal. They can encourage colleagues to get to know one another as individuals and appreciate their commonalities and differences. Engaged employees tend to share trust and have close relationships, which may mitigate the negative effects of differing opinions.

Set expectations for how conversations should be managed. Establish ground rules for respectful behavior as well as systems to address disrespect or discrimination. If guidelines are in place for managing these discussions at work, ensure they are well-communicated and understood by every employee.

As the 2024 presidential election heats up, few workplaces will be immune from the effects of political discussions. Gallup will continue to study the prevalence of these conversations and will provide a pre-election update on any effects they are having in America’s workplaces.