MyPerfectResume, a leading career and resume service, today announced the findings from its Political Discussions in the Workplace Survey, which polled 1,102 workers in the U.S. on their feelings about political conversations at work. 

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The survey found that workers are experiencing stress due to workplace talk about the 2024 presidential election. Of those polled, 71% wish the election discourse would stop.  

The survey also found that 89% believe employers should limit or discourage political discussions, and 73% feel pressured to share their political views at work. 

“Political discussions are regularly happening in the workplace, but many people wish they would stop,” said Jasmine Escalera, career expert for MyPerfectResume. “In the midst of another divisive presidential election in the U.S., most people we surveyed are looking for a break from the political discourse, particularly in the workplace. Our survey found that most workers wish that employers would limit or bar discussions about politics at work and that there is a real fear that this kind of talk could harm them professionally.”

Highlights of the survey include: 

  • 74% reported that they would leave their job if their workplace promoted political ideologies they strongly disagreed with 
  • 80% of respondents say that political neutrality in the workplace is important to their job satisfaction  
  • 79% of workers fear that vocalizing their political beliefs or activism outside of work could lead to negative repercussions from their employer 
  • 68% admit political discussions have negatively affected relationships at their workplace 
  • 73% have personally faced repercussions for engaging in political conversations at work 

Workers Wish Employers Would Curb Election Talk 

When asked whether employers should limit or discourage political discussions at work as the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, 89% of workers agreed. Most respondents (71%) said discussions should be limited, and 18% said employers should discourage them.  

The desire to limit conversations in the workplace may be related to the pressure many workers feel. Of those polled: 

  • 93% of respondents said they had been asked by a coworker which candidate they plan to vote for in the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential election 
  • 73% say they have felt pressured to share their political views at work 

These questions aren’t always welcome. For 80% of participants, political neutrality in the workplace is important to their job satisfaction. When asked whether they would leave a job if their employer promoted political ideologies they strongly disagreed with, 74% confirmed they would. Of this group, 92% of workers aged 25 or younger said they would leave, and 72% of those 26 or older would do the same. 

Political Discussions Negatively Impact Workers 

The expression of political beliefs sparks fear in many workers. When asked whether they believe vocal political beliefs or activism outside of work could lead to negative repercussions from their employer, 79% said yes. 

Entry-level workers were much more fearful, with 91% of entry-level workers saying they fear expressing their political beliefs outside of work could have negative repercussions, compared to 68% of experienced workers.  

The respondents’ age also influenced opinions on expressing political views. Younger workers reported more apprehension than their older counterparts, with 95% of workers aged 25 or younger expressing concern that their political beliefs outside of work could have negative repercussions compared to 75% of older workers. 

These fears may be experience-based. When asked whether political discussions have ever negatively affected relationships at work, 68% admit that they have.  

Of those polled, 73% have witnessed concerning situations arising from political discussions at work, including:  

  • Arguments (47%) 
  • Favoritism (44%) 
  • Bullying (36%) 
  • Disciplinary action, like a warning from HR or someone being fired (34%) 
  • Retaliation, such as exclusion from projects or unfair treatment (34%) 

Another 73% reported that they have personally faced repercussions for engaging in political conversations at work. These scenarios include: 

  • Arguments (46%) 
  • Favoritism (45%) 
  • Disciplinary action, like a warning from HR or being fired (32%) 
  • Bullying (31%) 
  • Retaliation, such as exclusion from projects or unfair treatment (31%) 

Most Workers Regret Engaging in Political Talks 

Regrets about participating in political discussions at work are very common; 82% of respondents regretted engaging in such discussions in the workplace. 

Participants provided many explanations for why they regret engaging in political discussions at work, including: 

  • Changed their opinions of their coworkers (52%) 
  • Experiencing retaliation, such as exclusion from projects or unfair treatment (45%) 
  • Creating tension in the office (43%) 
  • Feelings of isolation or damaging a workplace relationship (43%) 
  • Receiving disciplinary action from employer (43%) 

“Employers need to be aware of how apprehensive the workforce is about political discussions and the issues it can cause for their team, especially this close to an election,” said Escalera. “Thankfully, companies can easily address these concerns by setting the tone at work and discouraging political discussions.”