My staff and I share a workspace with another department. When we talk among ourselves, we don't touch on the three celebrated forbidden topics of polite conversation: sex, religion, or politics. But the staff sharing our workspace 5 yards away from us, has- since we started sharing workspace- has talked politics for what seems like eons (since election talk never stopped after the last presidential election). They all seemed to share the same views but -if a staff member had an opposing viewpoint, I think he or she would be hesitant to join the discussion. It's distracting when we're trying to concentrate on our work or trying also to listen to customers on the phone. However, there's another consideration-- the door to their public area is always open. If we can hear them, the public also gets an earful. Should we have to put earphones on and block the noise- also blocking hearing colleagues that are trying to get our attention for work-related reasons?
It may affect me more than others. I've seen seemingly strong long-standing friendships and relationships fall apart over politics and witnessed that heartbreak at close quarters. Time and again I've seen politics get in the way of good government and good public service. I always looked as voting as voting for issues, voting for people who can make a positive difference- not voting for a party. In the past, when I've complained about the invective-laden and uncivil political discourse in the workplace, it's been assumed that I was objecting because I disagreed with the views being expressed- not because I thought that the discussion of politics had no place in the workplace. So, people incorrectly assume that they know what I believe. And they don't. Not - I suspect- that they're even curious.
