PPB March 2021

Talking Politics Political conversations in the workplace rarely change minds, but they do cause a lot of problems. Here’s how to address this issue. by Tina Berres Filipski A wise person once advised: Never discuss money, politics or religion in polite company. Obviously, the goal is to avoid conflict with those who have a differing opinion. Refraining from these discussions can not only prevent arguments and preserve relationships but also help people keep their jobs. Today, the U.S. is in the midst of a growing political divide with Americans more polarized than ever on issues including the economy, immigration, international relations, social issues, COVID-19 and many others. In the U.K., the debate over Brexit has polarized politics among the British, but a Pew Research Center study conducted before the pandemic found that Americans were more ideologically divided than 19 other publics surveyed. A month before the 2020 presidential election, roughly nine-in-10 registered voters on both sides of the political aisle were concerned that a victory by the other side would irrevocably harm the U.S., according to Pew Research. As this passion continues to rise, it has boiled over into Andrii Yalanskyi / Shutterstock.com. 40 | MARCH 2021 | GROW