Dr. Holt is professor emeritus and clinical professor in the department of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.
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April 2021Politics and the Workplace
Talking politics can also be disruptive to a positive, harmonious work environment, creating division between employees and isolating individuals with unpopular beliefs. These suggestions can help you keep politics out of your practice:
- Set a good example by avoiding political or other controversial topics during working hours, even if you share the same beliefs as those being expressed by your co-workers.
- Stay engaged with the conversations happening in your practice or facility by actively listening.
- Don’t make jokes about controversial topics, and gently but firmly let others know that these types of jokes are not acceptable at your practice.
- If you hear a political conversation, politely but firmly remind employees that these discussions belong outside the workplace. Don’t wait to intervene until the conversation becomes aggressive, disrespectful, or threatening, or if a confrontation goes from verbal to physical.