Elections always threaten to sow tension into workplace conversations, but the 2016 election promises to be worse than usual.
Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are the two most unpopular presidential candidates in recent memory. Both candidates are regarded by a large majority of the electorate as dishonest or incompetent.
A poll of 3,200 employees and 1,900 managers by CareerBuilder found that those in management were more likely to argue about politics with colleagues.
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Nearly half of managers who work in IT reported getting in a political argument, compared to 37 percent of those in manufacturing, 29 percent of those in financial services and less than a quarter of those in either retail or health care.
Only 17 percent of nonmanagement employees said they have gotten into an argument over the presidential race recently. Thirteen percent said they'd argued about Trump and 8 percent said they'd argued about Clinton; clearly, some have argued about both (perhaps in the same argument).
Many employees and employers also express frustration with what they view as political correctness at the office. Half of employees and 59 percent of managers believe the workplace has become "too politically correct."
While 22 percent say political correctness is good for business, just over a third regard it as an obstacle.
Although definitions of the term vary, political correctness generally refers to an aversion to views that might make some people uncomfortable. However, in recent years conservatives have often used the term to describe what they see as censorship of views on race, gender and religion that go against those held by liberal elites in media, education and government. Trump has made opposition to political correctness a cornerstone of his campaign.
"The tip to navigating the rough waters during election season is to make sure your conversations are fair and respectful," said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer for CareerBuilder. "If you feel like political chit-chat is getting heated or confrontational, it's time to walk away."
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