Electoral mockery in the workplace? Here’s how to handle it

With Election Day just hours away, contentious conversations at work can reach a fever pitch. If this worries you, you are not alone.

According to a September survey by HR data provider Brightmine, nearly 2 in 5 American workers have experienced a political disagreement with a coworker, and nearly 1 in 5 workers said political discussion at work makes them uncomfortable .

Here are 10 ways to keep calm at work tomorrow (and beyond).

Embrace political talk

Instead of avoiding the topic, assume that your coworkers and even your boss will be talking about the election.
Joel Salinas, MD, assistant clinical professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, is the co-author of “Resilience to Conflict: Negotiating Disagreement Without Surrendering or Surrendering” (Harper Business). He suggested embracing the discomfort of challenging conversations to build resilience to conflict and maintain respect for others.

“Talking about differences in politics is absolutely healthier than avoiding them,” Salinas said. “We reject the typical notion that topics like religion and politics should be avoided in polite conversation, especially when our politics are invading every aspect of our lives. Avoiding conversations contributes to polarization and misunderstanding.”

Hang out with white space (pause)

“Taking a deep breath, pausing before you respond, naming the conflict for what it is, and acknowledging when emotions are high can help,” Salinas said. “Our brains are wired to respond to conflict with a mental and physical stress response. Creating a moment to pause can give us the space to respond more thoughtfully.”

hear

Instead of aggressively trying to get your point across, be an active listener without interfering with your own thoughts.

“Engage in deep listening—really focusing on the other person’s point of view without approving or jumping in to argue. Understand the experiences, context, and information that led to their point of view. [This] it can also reframe and even decrease the stress response,” said Salinas.

Ask questions

Do this if you disagree with your employer’s views or if you feel outnumbered by your boss and coworkers, said Kirsten Mosier, an organizational psychology practitioner in Long Island.

Understand that we are all entitled to our opinions, even if they differ,” Mosier said. “Ask what’s important to them and why, and try to understand their point of view without judgment or agenda. You may find that you agree with some of what they say, and that may feel better at the end of the workday.”

Use mental health resources

According to a June 2024 survey by Myriad Genetics, Inc., 40% of Americans reported feeling depressed or anxious during election season.

Kathy Pike, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and CEO of One Mind, a nonprofit organization committed to advancing mental health, believes that employees should have access to mental health resources to cope with the stress associated with political discussions. “Encourage employees to take breaks and prioritize self-care, especially during politically charged times,” Pike said.

Don’t expect to change anyone’s mind

“In most conversations, we’re not going to persuade someone to change their mind on a major topic,” said Steven T. Collis, director of the University of Texas at Austin’s Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center and author of “Habits of a Peacemaker”. : 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues” (Shadow Mountain).

“If you’re debating what kind of taco to have for lunch, you can convince them. “If you’re trying to get a Trump or Harris voter to change their vote, you’re dreaming,” Collis said. “These kinds of changes happen over long periods of time, usually only after you’ve really earned someone’s deepest respect through your selfless behavior.”

Keep your humility

Recognize how little you may know about a topic or your peers.

“If someone comes in with a hot opinion on a particular policy issue, start by asking them questions,” Collis said. “Learn more about them. Dig into how they came to their conclusion—not to undermine, but to learn. You should treat your thoughts like you would unstable explosives: give them to others carefully and rarely .”

Agree to disagree

“You don’t have to agree with everything your colleague says, but it’s important to respect their point of view,” said Jonathan Alpert, a Midtown psychotherapist and author of Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days (Center Street) . “Acknowledging different viewpoints can reduce tension and foster a more civil dialogue.”

Keep calm and carry on

Resist the temptation to label your colleague as a ‘crazy liberal’ or ‘alt right,’” Alpert said. “Such labels can escalate tensions and create an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ dynamic.” Instead, focus on specific ideas and policies.”

Also, maintain your professional composure and keep your emotions under control. “A composite response can help spread the intensity of their argument,” Alpert said.

go away

At any point, it’s good to disconnect. If a conversation suddenly escalates or you’re in a shouting match, consider heading for the nearest exit.

Calmly say, ‘It’s not okay to yell at me,’ and walk away, Mosier said. “Nobody should be involved in a conversation they don’t want to be in whether it’s a political year or not.”