Nobody likes office politics, and talking politics at work can cause problems---but now evidence shows politics can also prevent you from ever getting into the office. A new survey conducted for the Washington Examiner of 204 hiring managers finds the majority of them want to know job candidates' positions on controversial political issues like race relations, gay rights, and immigration. Among managers described as "left-leaning," 20% say they "will not hire" supporters of President Donald Trump.
The intersection of partisan politics with hiring decisions is a sign of the times we are living in, according to workplace culture expert Daren Martin. "(Politics) has reached a fever pitch of such a vitriolic nature, and we're really so polarized as a country, that everything is all about who-did-you-vote-for and what-is-your-position," says Martin. "This is largely being generated by the media and by the people in government."
Martin believes that managers and companies are making a big mistake if they limit who they hire or do business with based on politics. "These business leaders are so myopically focused, that they are not looking at the bigger picture," he tells KTRH. "What they should do is have some ground rules about the way (employees) address each other at work, but I think the name of the game for good business is to have a wide range of people, ideas, and opinions on your team."
The bottom line is the debates we see and hear daily on television, radio, and social media have now seeped into the workplace---and Martin doesn't think it is healthy. "A lot of the (workplace) tension is being fueled by the conversation coming out of Washington," he says.