Many employers believe that the proper approach to political discussions in the workplace is, “just don’t have them.” This will absolutely work out for you, if your workplace is filled with robots or animals. If, on the other hand, you employ people in accomplishing your daily tasks, this tactic will probably fail miserably. It is analogous to an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, while leaving its body vulnerable to any and all predators.
First of all, businesses should use this as an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to diversity in the workplace. The danger of taking a “wait and see” attitude on this issue was clearly delineated by the President’s failure to timely speak on this event, as he has on so many others. Don’t be analogized with him. Talk to your employees about your commitment to cultural and gender diversity. Can you straddle the fence, and remain indifferent? Of course. However, you run the risk of sounding, again, like you believe “there were good people on both sides.” A good rule of thumb for any business is not to stand on the side of the Nazis. An even better one is for businesses not to stand on the sidelines while Nazis march in the streets of our nation, and terrorize and murder citizens.
After WWII, the world, including Germany, agreed that Nazis represented the height of evil and the depth of depravity. Therefore, anyone who chooses to march, unrepentant, alongside Nazis may not be safely categorized as a “good person.” As Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” These “good” people went beyond that role, to march in solidarity with those who diametrically oppose one of our greatest founding principles: “that all men [and women] are created equal]. There is very little to be gained, and much to be lost, in failing to make your stance on this issue clear to everyone concerned.
Talking about your position on this issue up front will also allow the company an opportunity to steer the discussion in the direction you would have it to go. Encourage them to be empathetic towards those who are negatively impacted by these events, and share your disappointment in the failure of the participants to fully embrace the strength, and the strategic advantage, that our sharing our diverse cultures brings to us all. Employees who may possess extremist views will think twice about airing them in the workplace, and therefore cut down on the likelihood that they will end up in a heated discussion with other employees who vehemently disagree with their stance.
Another consideration is that some of your employees may be terrorized. Some of them may come from parts of the country where their families were victimized by extremist groups. Some of them may have family members who have passed down memories of their terror at such events. Also, reports have come out regarding the menacing of at least one African American house of worship and one Synagogue. Some of your employees may be traumatized by these events as well. Recall that some of the victims of the Holocaust and Jim Crow are still with us, or are family members of those who work with us. They may have trouble with the events of the past several days. They may need leave, and they may need understanding as they work through their trauma.
Of course, there is always a chance that employees will engage in arguments about this issue. If employees become disruptive in the workplace, then it is best that you send all of those involved home. You will likely not have been there at the beginning of the discussion, and so will not be privy to all of its details. When they return, give them an opportunity to speak with you privately, and individually. Make your expectations clear. Then have both employees address each other and agree to disagree. Be sure to monitor the situation closely and, if possible, have someone nearby the coworkers who can provide an unbiased account of their interactions.
Good luck to all of you who are having to address this difficult issue, and I wish you health, happiness and, above all, profit!