Politics in the workplace. (program, problems, world, socialist)

[mhouse2001]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Your insistance on violating the rights of a selected class, employers, as to what they can and cannot control on their private property smacks of someone willing to sacrifice constitutional rights as longs as it screws over someone they don't like. You have an obvious anti-capitalist streak and are perhaps the most insidious of abusers....one willing to oppress others for the "public good". Arrogance and hubris indeed... you are right out of animal farm.

I am sitting on the fence on this issue. I can see both sides and I still stand by my view that stifling political discussion is a way of controlling people. In effect, I see it as a censorship issue masterminded by business to maintain conformity and restrict opposition. I can also understand the employers and their concerns about how any kind of socializing/discussion might be unproductive. But, must one run a business to maximize profits or can everyone just work together and have fun, enjoying a different sense of 'productivity'?

In my earlier post, my idealism got the best of me and I went off on a tangent that proposed that we redesign this whole system. In an ideal world, we wouldn't be spending our days at 'work' slaving at meaningless jobs that support a huge economy we'll only see an infinitesimal amount of. We wouldn't have jobs that bring no meaning to our lives or divorce us from the things we need everyday like food, water, etc. I idealize a far simpler world and believe that all of this garbage we swim in nowadays is unnecessary. There must be a better way.

Yes, I'm anti-capitalism. I think capitalism is about to come to an end because its endgame is world destruction, all for the sake of profit and oneupsmanship. I don't know what would replace it, probably something not yet invented.

I wouldn't want my employees arguing all day, but I also wouldn't want them to feel stifled. There must be a middle way. Am I now Buddhist?

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by mhouse2001

I am sitting on the fence on this issue. I can see both sides and I still stand by my view that stifling political discussion is a way of controlling people. In effect, I see it as a censorship issue masterminded by business to maintain conformity and restrict opposition. I can also understand the employers and their concerns about how any kind of socializing/discussion might be unproductive. But, must one run a business to maximize profits or can everyone just work together and have fun, enjoying a different sense of 'productivity'?

In my earlier post, my idealism got the best of me and I went off on a tangent that proposed that we redesign this whole system. In an ideal world, we wouldn't be spending our days at 'work' slaving at meaningless jobs that support a huge economy we'll only see an infinitesimal amount of. We wouldn't have jobs that bring no meaning to our lives or divorce us from the things we need everyday like food, water, etc. I idealize a far simpler world and believe that all of this garbage we swim in nowadays is unnecessary. There must be a better way.

Yes, I'm anti-capitalism. I think capitalism is about to come to an end because its endgame is world destruction, all for the sake of profit and oneupsmanship. I don't know what would replace it, probably something not yet invented.

I wouldn't want my employees arguing all day, but I also wouldn't want them to feel stifled. There must be a middle way. Am I now Buddhist?

I think you've been sitting and thinking too much....seriously. (This is not a slam, it's a warning....I've seen people go down this rabbit hole and the end result is often not pretty.)

There is nothing wrong with capitalism with a degree of restraint upon it. It works better than anything else out there and is generally efficient at allocating resources to a society without being too cruel. (and life/nature is cruel at times) All of the collective, socialist systems work great on paper or in small enclaves within a capitalistic society but in large scale practice stifles initiative and creativity leading to the elite STILL being at the top but the top, middle and bottom being lower than they would under a capitalist system.

My advice would be to find something you actually enjoy doing...or can at least tolerate. Look into jobs out in nature, working with your hands....these can be tough jobs though.

Lastly, there is always going to be someone with more than you....who didn't deserve it and who is a complete and utter piece of garbage...life's not fair.
Go take a long hard look at somebody who has got it REALLY tough and you might gain some perspective too. Also, consider getting help for depression if you think you may suffer from it.

I share some of your same thoughts from time to time...shake it off...don't be your own worst enemy.

[WallStreetWarrior]

I think I agree with this policy. It's almost like a dress code...except for your workspace. I actually just went to a meeting a week or so ago for my office where management said that everyone who had a swimsuit/playboy calendar at their desk had to remove it. The room sort of errupted with laughter becuase everyone knew who the comment was directed at. The three guys who actually had such calendars booed. It was pretty comical.

[Delaneyland]

It seems to me that any business or Government entity needs to place and maintain standards of conduct for all employees. Management is just that and it is the responsibility of management to manage...be it employees, supplies, services, whatever. In my experience in private business and public service, the problem seems to be application of policy. I have seen standards and policies strictly enforced on some employees and not on others. In my humble opinion, that in itself is politics. We probably all have had footprints on our backs from the eager subordinate climbing over us to get ahead...sometimes it works, sometimes not. I don't think politics should take any place in the workplace and I think an employer certainly should be able to maintain standards of conduct for its employees while they are on the clock.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by mrsengle

I recently went back to work, and during orientation, we reviewed company policy. Everything was common sense-type little rules, but there was one I had never seen before from any other employer - do not discuss politics at the office. No political stickers, posters, etc. Office space is to be politically neutral.

Now, I think this rule is just fine. I have no problem with it, but it did seem weird to me.

I pretty much feel the same way you do. It's kinda weird, but I am okay with it.
At my old preschool-teaching job, my team-teacher was a diehard conservative. She had a bumpersticker on her car that said "Don't Blame Me, I Voted Republican." Me, I am no longer a registered Democrat, but I certainly am not in her camp.
We worked closely together--it was inevitable that discussions led to ideological skirmishes, especially during the 2004 election. We never raised our voices, but I think we raised each other's blood pressure.
I could live with a rule like that.
The thing is, when such practices are regulated, breaking the rules sometimes become tempting. We were not supposed to talk about our salaries at school. We did indeed do that from time to time.

[divinemom]

Political and religious discussions don't belong at work or in a social settings. I have known many self righteous liberals from the west coast and southwest who tried to shove their politics down my throat. It's no different than prosthelyizing. I have met few conservatives that engage in this intolerable behavior. I arrive at my personal beliefs from my own personal experiences rather than someone's opinion.

[TXboomerang]

Originally Posted by mhouse2001

But, must one run a business to maximize profits or can everyone just work together and have fun, enjoying a different sense of 'productivity'?

Sure, and maybe all those enjoying a different sense of 'productivity' could reach an agreement with suppliers and banks about a different sense of 'paying the bills'.

Maybe some of the places that don't allow political discussions have had serious productivity issues caused by it before and made a decision that was in the best interest of everyone for creating a better atmosphere. I worked with someone that was so far left at my last job, if they were an outfielder they would have been in the upper deck bleachers, couldn't have been any further left. Everyday some garbage about politics was being tossed out by her and 95% of the time I either partially or totally disagreed with her, although I kept my opinions to myself because I wanted to chill instead of getting all worked up over something stupid. She was also a "truther" so I had to listen to her parrot prisonplanet.com articles also. She was over me, so its not like I could do much about it other than pretend to either agree or not care. I've been at a new job for 2 months now, and I have yet to hear a single person mention politics, even though their is no policy against it. It is very refreshing and a much more positive environment. If a company has seen something similar to this by instating a rule, and productivity and general attitude was improved, they are well within their legal rights and made the right move.

[CaptainObvious]

Here's some politics in the workplace for you...

A few weeks back I was speaking with a person that I work closely with, but don't know very much about outside of work. He is about 1,000 higher than myself in the corporate world- a client of mine- and I a lowly "other" in the sales world. We were discussing the woes of the Medicare program and what could be done to solve some the problems inherent in it. After a lengthy discussion the bottom line, he says, is that "individuals' Medicare coverage ought to be determined by their needs and ability to pay". So I said, "To each according to his needs, from each according to his means?" He pauses a minute and says, "Well, yes. That is a great phrase to describe the way it ought to be." My face must have looked something like this... because he turned white and said, "What? Did I say something wrong?" I said, "No, no, no. I'm sorry. I just never realized you were a socialist." Whoopsie! I haven't been invited back since.

Cap

[Mathguy]

Ah yes, rich people are dangerously out of touch at times. You met one of the "liberal socialist rich" more than willing to raise taxes, but not too much on them....to give handouts to the poor. The other end of the spectrum are the social darwinist...."work harder you lazy poor people" types. :-)

[citigirl]

Everyone has break time that is their time. Break time is when you are free to spend your time as you will but if you take up my time that I am paying for with your interest, you will be fired.