Whether it is the presidential candidates or local elections, discussing politics in the workplace has always been a complex topic. But with increasingly polar views on politics — not to mention this year being a major election year — it's a fine line between intelligent, politically charged office banter and a nightmare of workplace disharmony.

One pro-Michael Moore comment can throw a previously productive office of conservatives into disarray. A Bill O'Reilly fan among liberals can turn the department's office party into a civil war.

"Unless you work in a setting that depends on a particular set of beliefs, such as a Republican Party field office, an environmental lobby group or a church, you risk much more than you can hope to gain when you raise sensitive issues at work," Susan M. Heathfield, management and organization development consultant, writes at About.com's Human Resources Guide.

Of course, what you say, how you say it and to whom are critical variables to consider.

A national survey conducted in May and June 2007 by Harris Interactive found nearly one out of four workers in the United States say they are uncomfortable when their top managers openly express their political preferences at work. More than a quarter of those polled said they don't fit in with their company's culture in terms of politics.

These survey results suggest that managers walk a much finer line than other employees when talking about politics in the workplace. An authority figure does not always consider the impact his or her point of view might have on others, i.e., how conversation might be viewed as subtle (or blatant) pressure.

The best standard practice in the workplace has probably been more like that of the military: Do not discuss politics, sex or religion. Simply don't do it.

Yet, while talking politics has long been considered an office taboo, a new survey from staffing firm Office Team shows 67 percent of respondents say engaging in reasonable political debate is acceptable on the job. Another 14 percent invite such conversations, and nearly four in 10 workers polled say discussing political campaigns and candidates is common practice.

If you engage in political discussion on the job, at best you risk offending coworkers — whose help you need to accomplish work — and making the work environment uncomfortable. Worst-case scenario: You create an altogether hostile work environment and potential long-term hard feelings among coworkers.

However, if you do decide to discuss a controversial topic at work, here are some guidelines to keep in mind:

1) Stick to issues and facts.
Think about the way in which you voice your views. Talking about the issues can be stimulating and educational, but it's best to provide facts rather than rumor and inaccuracy.

2) Be considerate.
Be willing to consider what the other person is saying. Take time to examine your own perspective rather than just debate the certainty of your views.

3) Avoid personal attacks.
We've learned from the Red state/Blue state talking heads that open hostility can pass for meaningful conversation. Remember to disagree respectfully and without name-calling.

4) Shut up.
Curb your inclination to respond in kind if the conversation becomes personal or offensive. Be willing to disengage if the conversation gets heated or turns from facts to personal attacks. It's tough for two people to have an argument when one of them refuses to join in.

Today, the difference between expressing personal beliefs (acceptable though often unwise at work) and attacking the beliefs of others (which is unacceptable) is increasingly gray. Freedom of expression is good in the workplace, especially if you want a respectful work environment that celebrates diversity and fosters creative thinking. Yet conversations on politics and religion and other beliefs that engage in polarizing personal values — money, war, affirmative action, immigration, whether the Yankees or the Red Sox is the greater franchise, etc. — can quickly escalate into workplace conflict.

That said, it is always a good idea to ensure your company's harassment policy is clear and the complaint system visible to employees.

References

More than One-Third of U.S. Workers Overall Say Political Candidates Aren't Addressing Workplace Issues
The Marlin Company, July 25, 2007

Office 'Politics': Employees Surveyed Say It's OK to Share Political Views at Work
Office Team, Jan. 31, 2008

Workplace Humor Not So Funny at Times
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (via Newswise), March 8, 2006

Nix Political Discussion at Work
by Susan M. Heathfield
About.com: Human Resources

Etiquette at Work: Questions About Political Conversations at Work
by Peter Post
The Boston Globe, April 15, 2007

Office Culture: Talking Politics
by Ilene Wasserman
Entrepreneur.com, Nov. 1, 2007

Politics Round the Watercooler
by Derek Torres
Management-Issues, Feb. 4, 2008