Election banter in the workplace? Here’s how to deal with it

With Election Day just hours away, contentious conversations at work may reach a fever pitch. If this makes you nervous, you’re not alone.

Nearly two in five U.S. workers have experienced political disagreements with co-workers at work, and nearly one in five workers said political discussions at work make them uncomfortable, according to a September survey by human resources data provider Brightmine.

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

Have political conversations

Instead of avoiding the topic, expect your colleagues and even your boss to discuss the election.
Joel Salinas, MD, assistant professor of neurology at NYU Langone Health and chief medical officer at Isaac Health, is co-author of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreements Without Giving Up or Giving In (Harper Business). He suggested embracing the discomfort of difficult conversations to build resilience to conflict and maintain respect for others.

“Talking about policy differences is absolutely healthier than avoiding them,” Salinas said. “We reject the typical notion that polite conversation should avoid topics such as religion and politics, especially when our politics intrude into every aspect of our lives. Avoiding conversations promotes polarization and misunderstanding.”

Make friends with white space (pause)

“Taking deep breaths, pausing before responding, calling the conflict for what it is and acknowledging when emotions are running high can all 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 opportunity to respond more thoughtfully.”

Listen

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

“Learn to listen carefully, really focusing on the other person’s point of view without approving or arguing. Understand the experiences, context, and information that led to their point of view. (It) can also reframe and even reduce the stress response,” Salinas said.

Ask questions

Do this if you disagree with your employer’s point of view or feel outnumbered by your boss and co-workers, says Kirsten Mosier, an organizational psychology practitioner on Long Island.

“Understand that we all have the right to have our own opinions, even if they are different,” Mosier said. “Ask what is important to them and why, and try to understand their point of view without judgment or agenda-driven behavior. You might find that you agree with some of what they say, and you’ll feel better at the end of the day.”

Use mental health resources

According to a survey conducted by Myriad Genetics, Inc. in June 2024, 40% of Americans said they experienced depression or anxiety during the election campaign.

Katie Pike, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and CEO of One Mind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving mental health, believes 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 convince someone to change their mind on an important topic,” said Stephen T. Collis, director of the University of Texas Beh-Laughlin First Amendment Center in Austin and author of “Habits of a Peacemaker.” : 10 Habits to Help Transform Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Conversations” (Shadow Mountain).

“If you’re debating which 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. “Changes like this happen over long periods of time, usually only after you have actually won someone’s deepest respect through your own selfless behavior.”

Maintain your humility

Realize how little you actually know about the topic or your colleagues.

“If someone has a passionate opinion on a particular political issue, start by asking questions,” Collis said. “Find out more about them. Dig into how they came to that conclusion—not to undermine, but to learn. Your own opinions should be treated like unstable explosives: convey them to others carefully and rarely.”

Agree to disagree

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

Keep Calm and Carry On

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

Also, maintain professional composure and keep your emotions under control. “A moderate response may help reduce the intensity of their arguments,” Alpert said.

Leave

You can disconnect at any time. If a conversation suddenly escalates or you find yourself in an altercation, consider heading for the nearest exit.

“Calmly say, ‘You can’t yell at me,’ and walk away,” Mosier said. “No one should be part of a conversation they don’t want to be part of, whether it’s a political year or not.”