Could I Really Get Fired for Talking Politics at Work?

The 2016 presidential election sparked harsh debates on both sides of the political aisle, even among people at work. Although many office settings encourage people to be open about their personalities, there are limits. You might just get fired for talking politics at work if you aren't careful.

Right to Free Speech...With Limits

Yes, Americans have the right to free speech. However, there are limits to what you can say at the office. While you're on the company clock, you don't have the freedom to do as you choose. The company has a dress code, right? Most companies have a code of conduct as well. You could get fired for talking politics if an employer sets the rules of your conduct ahead of time and you don't adhere to the rules.

There are no federal laws that protect employees against political discrimination at the workplace, but some state laws may protect you from getting a pink slip after talking politics. The National Labor Relations Act protects workers from termination if they participate in a concerted activity regarding politics. These activities fall into broad definitions.

Supporting Candidates Versus Vehement Arguing

There's no doubt that some political candidates spark discussions when election time approaches. There's nothing wrong with employees discussing why they support candidates as it relates to work. For example, a good way of talking politics includes a discussion about why John Smith is a good choice for governor because he supports paid leave for moms who want to spend time with their infants after having a baby.

Situations can turn ugly if workers passionately discuss topics that typically spark debates. These topics may include religion, social issues such as gay marriage or owning firearms.

Focus on the Job

It's okay to post your views on social media or encourage your co-workers to vote on election day. However, you shouldn't get into an hours-long discussion about why your candidate is better than someone else's while you're on the clock. When you're at work, focus on your job rather than have extended conversations regarding topics that don't fall under your daily job duties.

Perceptions

Beyond using your company's money to discuss your political views, a survey released in October 2016 shows there is a perception against politics at the office. A full 72 percent of more than 5,000 job seekers in the survey say discussing politics at work is inappropriate. As many as 46 percent of respondents say they felt uncomfortable at work when politics came up as a talking point.

The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to ask human resources what the company policy entails. There's nothing wrong with supporting an organization's cause or posting on your personal social media account. However, you may run into issues if your views interfere with your company's policies.

Tread lightly with talking politics at work. Know that not everyone at your workplace may share your same views, and that's especially important when dealing with your supervisor.

Photo courtesy of Michael Vadon at Flickr.com