Politics in the workplace. (employment, election, elect, propaganda)

[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've never seen this at another employer. I told my husband about it, and he vented. He says he wishes they had that policy at his office. At his office, they get into politics on a daily basis - not just when something big happens, or there's a political debate on TV, etc. People wear their politics on their sleeves and dress their cubes to match. His boss gets into the 'discussions,' but certainly not on a daily basis, and doesn't have propaganda in his office or anything like that.

My husband doesn't participate in this - and interestingly, no one has tried to drag him into it, or asked him what his opinion is, etc. He doesn't think it's professional, and I'd have to agree. It hasn't been so bad that production has been affected because of it, but it is obviously an environment where if you disagree, there may be a little ostracization. If this occured on a rare occassion, or maybe during the voting period during an election, I wouldn't think it's a big deal. But on a daily basis? If people have enough time on their hands to participate in that crap, they don't have enough work to do.

What are your thoughts on politics in the workplace?

[crashcop]

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've never seen this at another employer. I told my husband about it, and he vented. He says he wishes they had that policy at his office. At his office, they get into politics on a daily basis - not just when something big happens, or there's a political debate on TV, etc. People wear their politics on their sleeves and dress their cubes to match. His boss gets into the 'discussions,' but certainly not on a daily basis, and doesn't have propaganda in his office or anything like that.

My husband doesn't participate in this - and interestingly, no one has tried to drag him into it, or asked him what his opinion is, etc. He doesn't think it's professional, and I'd have to agree. It hasn't been so bad that production has been affected because of it, but it is obviously an environment where if you disagree, there may be a little ostracization. If this occured on a rare occassion, or maybe during the voting period during an election, I wouldn't think it's a big deal. But on a daily basis? If people have enough time on their hands to participate in that crap, they don't have enough work to do.

What are your thoughts on politics in the workplace?

It is a part of America, and the First Admendment.

[citigirl]

I believe if an employer wants to set rules that there is to be no discussion of politics in the office he should be able to fire violators on the spot. It's his business and he should be able to set the tone and rules for his business.

It is a part of America, and the First Amendment? I don't think so. Where is it dictated that an employer must hand over the time he is paying for an employee? An employee’s time belongs to him as long as you are on the clock.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Its not good from a business point of view.
I hurt myself at my pharmaceutical job by hating on republicans, openly.
Living in a totally redneck, rural part of Vermont it was painful to
hear the hillbillies worship Rumsfeld and talk about killing all
"*******s" etc....Very, very offensive.
Politics and religion. Nothing good can come of openly discussing it
in the workplace.

[Visvaldis]

Originally Posted by citigirl

I believe if an employer wants to set rules that there is to be no discussion of politics in the office he should be able to fire violators on the spot. It's his business and he should be able to set the tone and rules for his business.

It is a part of America, and the First Amendment? I don't think so. Where is it dictated that an employer must hand over the time he is paying for an employee? An employee’s time belongs to him as long as you are on the clock.

The First Amendment is for all Americans, everywhere.
The First Amendment is not something anyone should surrender whenever enteriing any place. If any employer fires employees for using the First Amendment rights, that employer is intolerant. There is no law, nor should there be one, against intolerance.
Maybe you think that employees belong to the business owner while they are on the clock. That sounds like feudalism from 14th Century Europe.

[FistFightingHairdresser]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

T
Maybe you think that employees belong to the business owner while they are on the clock. That sounds like feudalism from 14th Century Europe.

When that employee is being compensated for time spent in employment, then yes, that time belongs to the employer.

Since the Bill of Rights guarantees the free exercise of religion under the same Amendment you cite, does that mean a boss should keep Muslim workers on the clock when they're kneeling to Mecca during their several daytime breaks?

[Rggr]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

The First Amendment is for all Americans, everywhere.
The First Amendment is not something anyone should surrender whenever enteriing any place. If any employer fires employees for using the First Amendment rights, that employer is intolerant. There is no law, nor should there be one, against intolerance.
Maybe you think that employees belong to the business owner while they are on the clock. That sounds like feudalism from 14th Century Europe.

It would seem that the Supreme Court does not agree with you. Thre are definitely limits to free speach. You can't threaten people, incite violence, slander etc. Employers can set limits for their workplace. If you don't like the job you can leave.

[Visvaldis]

Originally Posted by Rggr

It would seem that the Supreme Court does not agree with you. Thre are definitely limits to free speach. You can't threaten people, incite violence, slander etc. Employers can set limits for their workplace. If you don't like the job you can leave.

Free speach (sic) is not threatening, slander, and does not incite violence. Adolph Hitler didn't like free speach (sic) either.

[macmeal]

There's nothing more profound here than the employer's right to his time while employees are on the clock--- perhaps a lawsuit would settle the matter in favor of the employees--who knows? But in the end, the employer isn't dictating one's political beliefs; he's dictating the employee's use of his "on duty" time. It's similar to denying the use of comany computers for web-surfing, or private e-mails. While many of us "fudge" on this, it's the employer's time (he's paying for it), and his call.
Is there hypocrisy here? Of course there is...If the employer is a golfer, he'd probably love to talk "golf" with anyone...ditto for sports, betting pools, etc. Nevertheless, the time belongs to the one who's footing the bill for it.....

[citigirl]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

The First Amendment is for all Americans, everywhere.
The First Amendment is not something anyone should surrender whenever enteriing any place. If any employer fires employees for using the First Amendment rights, that employer is intolerant. There is no law, nor should there be one, against intolerance.
Maybe you think that employees belong to the business owner while they are on the clock. That sounds like feudalism from 14th Century Europe.

Good grief. So you think an employee that is hired to work for the employer to do a job for the employer can dictate how they spend their time? No wonder businesses want foreign labor. I think it's pretty intolerant to accept a job and you get to determine how you spend your time while on the clock. An employee like that wouldn't last two minutes in my business. I would show them the door. Any of my future employees will be screened like never before!

Come to think of it, that's one of the reasons we moved our business out of California. Pure fear of the type of employee we would end up with.