4 ms·

I.. disagree. At least here in Sweden, the workplace was and is a neutral place when it comes to politics (basically, it's considered extremely impolite to push

I.. disagree. At least here in Sweden, the workplace was and is a neutral place when it comes to politics (basically, it's considered extremely impolite to push your private political view at work.). Is it different in the US?

manigandham 7y ago
No, it’s been like that for decades. Only recently, with the rise of social media and public identities, have we seen such blatant representation and direct exposure in the workplace. I don’t think it’s healthy or productive.
jacobsenscott 7y ago
There's no such thing as a "neutral" place. What's happening is you tend to align with the predominate views at your company, and anyone who doesn't keeps their head down. From you point of view it looks neutral, but actually other views are being repressed.
- paulddraper 7y ago
  I don't understand. Why do you feel it's required to take some stand (including whatever the majority default is) on free speech, gun rights, immigration quotas, abortion restrictions, tax laws, states' rights, welfare benefits, etc. in the workplace?
  - lazyasciiart 7y ago
    Should women be allowed to work? What if they're married and working in close contact with single men? What if they're pregnant? Should the company be allowed to give someone else their job while they are on maternity leave? Should the company even pay them while on maternity leave? All these questions are "politics"
    - paulddraper 7y ago
      Are you talking about city/state/national laws? Or company policies? "Employees here should have benefit X" or "I should get paid Y" or "Z should be promoted" aren't really political in the usual sense (it's office politics, sure). "The government should on pain of imprisonment require everyone to X" or "political candidate Y should be elected" is politics. And creates unnecessary division in the workplace.
      - lazyasciiart 7y ago
        I think we disagree on the meaning of "political". "We should give every woman here a raise because we have historically paid women less". "We should send recruiters to historically black colleges because we don't hire enough black people". Both suggestions have nothing to do with laws or elections but would be identified as "political".
- groundlogic 7y ago
  ...no? I think you maybe don't get the whole "don't be political at work" thing.
  - Pfhreak 7y ago
    I suspect the parent poster is pointing out that you might not be aware of political issues in your workplace because they don't impact you. How is your access to a gender neutral restroom or shower facility? Do you have a quiet place to pray multiple times per day? If you need a place to breastfeed (not a restroom), is that something available? What about dilating post gender reassignment surgery? Does your workplace offer the same benefits to same sex partners? Do you have to take a badge photo, if so, what name gets used? Can you wear head coverings in your badge photo? Have you ever heard expressions like, "Let's see what's under the kimono" in a business meeting? How is wheelchair access to your site? Can I operate all the machines you use if I am blind? All of these are 'political' issues that most people are blind to.
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]

manigandham 7y ago

No, it’s been like that for decades. Only recently, with the rise of social media and public identities, have we seen such blatant representation and direct exposure in the workplace. I don’t think it’s healthy or productive.

jacobsenscott 7y ago

There's no such thing as a "neutral" place. What's happening is you tend to align with the predominate views at your company, and anyone who doesn't keeps their head down. From you point of view it looks neutral, but actually other views are being repressed.

paulddraper 7y ago
I don't understand. Why do you feel it's required to take some stand (including whatever the majority default is) on free speech, gun rights, immigration quotas, abortion restrictions, tax laws, states' rights, welfare benefits, etc. in the workplace?
- lazyasciiart 7y ago
  Should women be allowed to work? What if they're married and working in close contact with single men? What if they're pregnant? Should the company be allowed to give someone else their job while they are on maternity leave? Should the company even pay them while on maternity leave? All these questions are "politics"
  - paulddraper 7y ago
    Are you talking about city/state/national laws? Or company policies? "Employees here should have benefit X" or "I should get paid Y" or "Z should be promoted" aren't really political in the usual sense (it's office politics, sure). "The government should on pain of imprisonment require everyone to X" or "political candidate Y should be elected" is politics. And creates unnecessary division in the workplace.
    - lazyasciiart 7y ago
      I think we disagree on the meaning of "political". "We should give every woman here a raise because we have historically paid women less". "We should send recruiters to historically black colleges because we don't hire enough black people". Both suggestions have nothing to do with laws or elections but would be identified as "political".
groundlogic 7y ago
...no? I think you maybe don't get the whole "don't be political at work" thing.
- Pfhreak 7y ago
  I suspect the parent poster is pointing out that you might not be aware of political issues in your workplace because they don't impact you. How is your access to a gender neutral restroom or shower facility? Do you have a quiet place to pray multiple times per day? If you need a place to breastfeed (not a restroom), is that something available? What about dilating post gender reassignment surgery? Does your workplace offer the same benefits to same sex partners? Do you have to take a badge photo, if so, what name gets used? Can you wear head coverings in your badge photo? Have you ever heard expressions like, "Let's see what's under the kimono" in a business meeting? How is wheelchair access to your site? Can I operate all the machines you use if I am blind? All of these are 'political' issues that most people are blind to.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]