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> Why is a company wanting to be apolitical is controversial? It's wild. That was standard not long ago. Most companies, even in tech, were apolitical. Maybe t
by Reedx 6y ago
> Why is a company wanting to be apolitical is controversial?
It's wild. That was standard not long ago. Most companies, even in tech, were apolitical. Maybe there would be some watercooler chat near the election with that one coworker who was really into politics, but that was about it. People mostly didn't know or care what the politics of their coworkers were. If they did, it wasn't a big deal and would still be friendly regardless.
But now many are convinced they are warriors in a never-ending existential war. Then it's hard to understand why someone isn't a warrior.
"We're about to die! What are you doing, not fighting? You must choose a side. You're with us or against us!"
Normally this happened on a 4 year cadence[1]. Locusts would descend to rally the troops, warn of impending doom, have the battle (vote), and then go hibernate for a few years. But now it's non-stop. The war just never ends. It bleeds into everything. Those who choose to not participate in the war or don't engage in the approved way are looked at with suspicion, accused of being the enemy.
1. https://benlandautaylor.com/2018/09/22/the-four-year-locusts/ https://benlandautaylor.com/2018/09/22/the-four-year-locusts...
- koheripbal 6y agoJust before the 2016 election, we issued an internal memo that political and/or religious conversations were not appropriate. Not a RULE, but guidance that it can be divisive and that folks should concentrate on work during work hours, whilst physically at work. One person quit as a result - and, frankly, everyone was relieved. She was a hateful person that wouldn't shut up about her politics. I agree - it's crazy that this is controversial. We are a much stronger and more unified company as a result of this policy.
- mic_stee 6y agoI agree that it is wild that wanting to be "apolitical" is controversial. Sadly though, I think that it has become almost impossible to be "apolitical" due to how politics has creeped into every facet of life. What is more wild to me is that statements like "black lives matter", "climate change is real and a problem", and "the coronavirus pandemic is real" are political. These seem like they should be commonly agreed upon facts. If those statements are political then it is much harder to be apolitical.