Comments on: The Ethics of Talking Politics at Work http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Annie Kate http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265947 Annie Kate Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:12:03 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265947 My team at work never discusses religion but we do discuss politics - often and vigorously. We are a support team and are expected to take calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. After you have worked problems at 3 and 4 am with your teammates, you either get to where you can't stand each other or you become fast friends - luckily for us it was the latter. We don't all agree on the politics and we tease each other about going to vote to cancel out each others vote but we enjoy our political discussions and no one has ever gotten upset or defensive about it. We don't include our team lead though - some things you just leave the boss out of. <a href="http://anniekatec.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Annie Kate</a> Birmingham AL My team at work never discusses religion but we do discuss politics – often and vigorously. We are a support team and are expected to take calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. After you have worked problems at 3 and 4 am with your teammates, you either get to where you can't stand each other or you become fast friends – luckily for us it was the latter. We don't all agree on the politics and we tease each other about going to vote to cancel out each others vote but we enjoy our political discussions and no one has ever gotten upset or defensive about it. We don't include our team lead though – some things you just leave the boss out of.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

]]> By: Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265918 Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:59:00 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265918 Peartree...............it IS because of the color of his skin....... Never..........never, ever before would people even think of electing a 72 yr old President to a first term when his Party's President is at a 27 % approval rating.......Never, til now. There is hope though. I sold Obama t-shirts recently and an old white man came up to me. He asked me if I was one of the people making donations to Obama. I said yes. He hesitated and then bought one. He said" I hope I can get the guts to wear it". I said........You will. We can change Peartree. Even if it is one at a time. Obama 08 Peartree...............it IS because of the color of his skin.......

Never..........never, ever before would people even think of electing a 72 yr old President to a first term when his Party's President is at a 27 % approval rating.......Never, til now. There is hope though.

I sold Obama t-shirts recently and an old white man came up to me. He asked me if I was one of the people making donations to Obama. I said yes. He hesitated and then bought one. He said" I hope I can get the guts to wear it". I said........You will. We can change Peartree. Even if it is one at a time.

Obama 08

]]> By: Joy in Seattle http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265748 Joy in Seattle Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:54:36 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265748 I work at a University and have had drinks with my coworkers in the evening and lunches. I've most certainly talked about sex with several of the girls here. Politics has been discussed, including a heated but friendly argument over abortion rights. My boss occasionally razzes me about my conservative views, but it's good natured. I think he likes me better since I've opened up and allowed him to see who I really am. Talking about politics isn't completely off the table, it just depends on the atmosphere of your workplace. That doesn't mean there isn't a line. I am not going to walk around with an insulting T-shirt or put a NOBAMA sticker on my office door. A polite and respectful attitude is important no matter what you talk about. I work at a University and have had drinks with my coworkers in the evening and lunches. I've most certainly talked about sex with several of the girls here. Politics has been discussed, including a heated but friendly argument over abortion rights.

My boss occasionally razzes me about my conservative views, but it's good natured. I think he likes me better since I've opened up and allowed him to see who I really am. Talking about politics isn't completely off the table, it just depends on the atmosphere of your workplace.

That doesn't mean there isn't a line. I am not going to walk around with an insulting T-shirt or put a NOBAMA sticker on my office door. A polite and respectful attitude is important no matter what you talk about.

]]> By: Peartree from NC http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265399 Peartree from NC Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:06:36 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265399 You know what though americans. Me as a middle class black man in america know the real reason for all the independant voters who don want to vote for Obama, Know the real reason. I am very educated and i know its the color of his skin. I say that because never in history what is happening with the independent vote and voters saying they want another canidate has never happened. If Obama was white all this wouldnt be happening. You know this and i know this. People can say its not tru but i know for a fact its tru. Listen to how these so called politicians talk about him and what he is doing. Its undercover hatered. I can read between the lines. As a country we will never put the color of a mans skin behind us. I say that because alot of politicians in our government with power are from the 60s and 70s. What beliefs you think the parents instilled in them. Look at how politicians ly in our faces. im tired of it. We need new blood in DC. OBAMA'08 You know what though americans. Me as a middle class black man in america know the real reason for all the independant voters who don want to vote for Obama, Know the real reason. I am very educated and i know its the color of his skin. I say that because never in history what is happening with the independent vote and voters saying they want another canidate has never happened. If Obama was white all this wouldnt be happening. You know this and i know this. People can say its not tru but i know for a fact its tru. Listen to how these so called politicians talk about him and what he is doing. Its undercover hatered. I can read between the lines. As a country we will never put the color of a mans skin behind us. I say that because alot of politicians in our government with power are from the 60s and 70s. What beliefs you think the parents instilled in them. Look at how politicians ly in our faces. im tired of it. We need new blood in DC. OBAMA'08

]]> By: Peartree from NC http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265383 Peartree from NC Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:55:03 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265383 Kent: You are absolutely right. Americans let the media use them as puppets. Instead of researching there candidates to find out the truth they just turn to the TV. Americans what are you doing. I will never watch FOX news again because of that reason. Americans wake up, vote for the right reasons. Make your life better. Ive been a republican since ive been registered to vote and this is the first year im going to vote Democrat. My fellow republicans couldnt fix our country so now im going to turn to the democrats. Americans at least vote to make your life a little bit better. Kent: You are absolutely right. Americans let the media use them as puppets. Instead of researching there candidates to find out the truth they just turn to the TV. Americans what are you doing. I will never watch FOX news again because of that reason. Americans wake up, vote for the right reasons. Make your life better. Ive been a republican since ive been registered to vote and this is the first year im going to vote Democrat. My fellow republicans couldnt fix our country so now im going to turn to the democrats. Americans at least vote to make your life a little bit better.

]]> By: Vegas http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265377 Vegas Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:35:06 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265377 Nichole in Alabama: "Now this lady is about 55 yrs and returning to workforce after staying home for past 30 yrs because she needed health insurance and couldn’t get medicare, lives w/ her daughter because she cannot afford to live alone and rides to work w/ another coworker because she doesn’t have a car. So I called her out on this. I asked her what have the Republicans done to improve her life since she has been faithful to them all her life. She got really mad and to this day that lady will not speak to me." You're right... hasn't contributed for 30 Years but deserves a free ride... guess she should have went on welfare, food stamps and free clinic... you know... paid for by the people that work. So she goes and gets a job to pull her own weight... and you think there is something wrong with her? I guess we could elect that moron Obama... who will tax the big compainies (maybe yours) to death... forcing them to leave... and then all your dreams can come true. Nichole in Alabama:
"Now this lady is about 55 yrs and returning to workforce after staying home for past 30 yrs because she needed health insurance and couldn’t get medicare, lives w/ her daughter because she cannot afford to live alone and rides to work w/ another coworker because she doesn’t have a car. So I called her out on this. I asked her what have the Republicans done to improve her life since she has been faithful to them all her life. She got really mad and to this day that lady will not speak to me."

You're right... hasn't contributed for 30 Years but deserves a free ride... guess she should have went on welfare, food stamps and free clinic... you know... paid for by the people that work. So she goes and gets a job to pull her own weight... and you think there is something wrong with her? I guess we could elect that moron Obama... who will tax the big compainies (maybe yours) to death... forcing them to leave... and then all your dreams can come true.

]]> By: Michael J. Arch http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265373 Michael J. Arch Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:20:31 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265373 A very good corporation has had guidelines in place prohibiting this kind of behavior in the work place ... When will business get back into the business fairness privacy and sound judgment that protects the rights of individuals in and out of the work place ? Buisness and consumers are like a key and a lock where you need both to work. I say consumer because your employee is also your consumer .. You would be wise to take care of your consumer including proper wages - medical insurance fair and balance labor laws . A very good corporation has had guidelines in place prohibiting this kind of behavior in the work place ... When will business get back into the business fairness privacy and sound judgment that protects the rights of individuals in and out of the work place ?

Buisness and consumers are like a key and a lock where you need both to work. I say consumer because your employee is also your consumer .. You would be wise to take care of your consumer including proper wages – medical insurance fair and balance labor laws .

]]> By: Renee http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265325 Renee Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:23:16 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265325 We discuss politics at the office. It is part of the lunch time day. We are split 1/3 each and are trying to sway the Independents. It is a lot of fun because we are all responsible and intelligent people. Many of us are news junkies so it seems appropriate to have some banter. And seriously some of it is so strange we have to discuss it all to figure it out. IE: Senator Craig and the toe tapping. I had to ask the guys about that and of course the women had to ask if any of our guys had been tapped at all. It makes for some good humor which is often lost in the workplace. We discuss politics at the office. It is part of the lunch time day. We are split 1/3 each and are trying to sway the Independents. It is a lot of fun because we are all responsible and intelligent people. Many of us are news junkies so it seems appropriate to have some banter.

And seriously some of it is so strange we have to discuss it all to figure it out. IE: Senator Craig and the toe tapping. I had to ask the guys about that and of course the women had to ask if any of our guys had been tapped at all. It makes for some good humor which is often lost in the workplace.

]]> By: Bryce http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265312 Bryce Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:02:17 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265312 Its understandable why a job would have a ploicy against talking politics at work. However most of our close friends share the same views as ourselves on most issues. The best opprotunity to have a conversation with a person who may feel different comes at the work place. I understand political conversations can become heated and thats why we must use our best judgement . These conversations are best held a way from the job site at lunch or in a setting where the entire work place isn't in the conversation, just 2 -3 mature adult. If you want to know how real everyday people feel about issues that effect us all its better to hear it from real people instead of what we hear on the news alone. Political analysis cut off each other everyday to get there point across and don't take it personal. The rest of us are adult enough to have conversation with out causing a problem or developing a negitive opinion of person. Its understandable why a job would have a ploicy against talking politics at work. However most of our close friends share the same views as ourselves on most issues. The best opprotunity to have a conversation with a person who may feel different comes at the work place. I understand political conversations can become heated and thats why we must use our best judgement . These conversations are best held a way from the job site at lunch or in a setting where the entire work place isn't in the conversation, just 2 -3 mature adult. If you want to know how real everyday people feel about issues that effect us all its better to hear it from real people instead of what we hear on the news alone. Political analysis cut off each other everyday to get there point across and don't take it personal. The rest of us are adult enough to have conversation with out causing a problem or developing a negitive opinion of person.

]]> By: Susan http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265307 Susan Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:49:33 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265307 Leave your politics at the door. That is just a good commonsense practice. Why add more stress to your day !!!!! Susan Phoenixville,PA Leave your politics at the door. That is just a good commonsense practice. Why add more stress to your day !!!!!

Susan
Phoenixville,PA

]]> By: Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265303 Kent Fitzsimmons,Kewanee, IL Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:26:50 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265303 Politics at work...........I don't think so. I agree with what Bill Maher said on Larry King last night. He stated something to the effect that Americans are basically stupid as a whole. They have no idea when it comes to politics what they should do, or who they should vote for. I work with very politically dumb people at work. They don't pay attention and don't much care. Yet, some will vote. That makes no sense at all................guess that is the people the GOP targets and why Republicans get voted in most of the time.............pretty sad.. Politics at work...........I don't think so. I agree with what Bill Maher said on Larry King last night. He stated something to the effect that Americans are basically stupid as a whole. They have no idea when it comes to politics what they should do, or who they should vote for.

I work with very politically dumb people at work. They don't pay attention and don't much care. Yet, some will vote. That makes no sense at all................guess that is the people the GOP targets and why Republicans get voted in most of the time.............pretty sad..

]]> By: Donna A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265292 Donna A. Reuter, Bremerton, WA Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:47:16 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265292 I work for the Federal Government and I have to follow the Hatch Act. I work for the Federal Government and I have to follow the Hatch Act.

]]> By: JC- Los Angeles http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265289 JC- Los Angeles Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:42:05 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265289 Bruce, if you want a more respectful workplace, the Federal Government should finally crack down on corporate malfesance, outright fraud, shoddy executive leadership and enforce, for once, Sarbanes Oxley. The workplace has become one big fraudulent cesspool of executive incompetance and executive over compensation. I assure you a water cooler conversation cenetred around politcics is the least of corpoarte America's worries. How are writedowns, restatements of earnings and outright fraud not violations of Sarbanes Oxley; how about addressing the root of the problem. Bruce, if you want a more respectful workplace, the Federal Government should finally crack down on corporate malfesance, outright fraud, shoddy executive leadership and enforce, for once, Sarbanes Oxley.

The workplace has become one big fraudulent cesspool of executive incompetance and executive over compensation.

I assure you a water cooler conversation cenetred around politcics is the least of corpoarte America's worries.

How are writedowns, restatements of earnings and outright fraud not violations of Sarbanes Oxley; how about addressing the root of the problem.

]]> By: Nicole in Alabama http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265284 Nicole in Alabama Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:30:52 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265284 It was the day after Fox News referred to Michelle as Obama Baby Mama and most of the woman @ work was really mad about it and natuarally the conversation went into politics in general. There this older lady that started working with us about a month prior and she joined in on the conversation and stated that she liked Obama alot however she could never vote for him b/c he is pro-choice and she has voted Republican all her life. Now this lady is about 55 yrs and returning to workforce after staying home for past 30 yrs because she needed health insurance and couldn't get medicare, lives w/ her daughter because she cannot afford to live alone and rides to work w/ another coworker because she doesn't have a car. So I called her out on this. I asked her what have the Republicans done to improve her life since she has been faithful to them all her life. She got really mad and to this day that lady will not speak to me. It was the day after Fox News referred to Michelle as Obama Baby Mama and most of the woman @ work was really mad about it and natuarally the conversation went into politics in general. There this older lady that started working with us about a month prior and she joined in on the conversation and stated that she liked Obama alot however she could never vote for him b/c he is pro-choice and she has voted Republican all her life.

Now this lady is about 55 yrs and returning to workforce after staying home for past 30 yrs because she needed health insurance and couldn't get medicare, lives w/ her daughter because she cannot afford to live alone and rides to work w/ another coworker because she doesn't have a car. So I called her out on this. I asked her what have the Republicans done to improve her life since she has been faithful to them all her life. She got really mad and to this day that lady will not speak to me.

]]> By: Cindy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/the-ethics-of-talking-politics-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-265282 Cindy Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:59:13 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=5966#comment-265282 Talking politics at work is no big deal. You just have to agree to disagree. Can't go wrong there. And hey...Jon Stewart as the president...I'd go for that!! LOL He can't screw up anymore than the rest of them. Plus he'd keep it real and extremely funny! LOL Cindy..Ga. Talking politics at work is no big deal. You just have to agree to disagree. Can't go wrong there.

And hey...Jon Stewart as the president...I'd go for that!! LOL He can't screw up anymore than the rest of them. Plus he'd keep it real and extremely funny! LOL

Cindy..Ga.

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