HiBob, the company behind Bob, the HR platform revolutionising how organisations operate in the modern world of work, has released new survey results shedding light on the divided views of the UK workforce regarding the place of political and social opinions in the workplace.
Amid an ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) battle across the corporate world, HiBob’s research showcases contrasting employee opinions on the relevance of discussing politics and social issues at work.
A Nation at Odds
As the lines between personal and professional life continue to blur, 53 percent of UK professionals believe that fostering respectful socio-political discussions in the workplace is essential for promoting an inclusive and diverse company culture. However, the other half, constituting 45 percent of Brits, argue that political and social opinions should be kept out of the office to safeguard company culture.
Interestingly, both groups largely agree that such discussions should remain offline. A significant 59 percent prefer that conversations avoid digital communication channels like Slack, Teams, or email. For those who support discussing socio-political opinions at work, the key lies in ensuring that these conversations take place in a safe space and involve the respectful exchange of opposing viewpoints, as indicated by 62 percent of respondents.
What about the potential Harm to Work and Relationships?
HiBob’s research highlights the considerable apprehension surrounding sharing political opinions at work. Nearly two in five professionals (38%) fear that expressing their views with their manager could harm their job and working relationships, with a similar sentiment (45%) applying to sharing opinions with colleagues.
Younger, less senior workers express higher concern about the potential job impact of sharing political opinions (41% vs. 38% overall). Moreover, men stand out as more likely to worry about political discussions negatively affecting working relationships (41% compared to 35% of women), and they are also more inclined to believe that strong opinions could influence their role and position at the company.
The Political Factor in Talent Attraction and Retention
In the competitive battle for talent, 53 percent of workers assert that a company’s opposing political stance would deter them from accepting a job offer. Additionally, 27 percent of employees state that a company’s contrary political position could prompt them to leave their current organisation.
Gender differences are apparent in these findings, with men expressing greater sensitivity to a company’s political stance. For instance, 57 percent of men view it as a deterrent from joining a company, compared to 50 percent of women. Moreover, 45 percent of men would consider leaving a company over opposing socio-political opinions, compared to only 29 percent of women.
Ronni Zehavi, CEO of HiBob, emphasises the growing importance of political discourse, particularly among young workers. He emphasises the need for organisations to create an environment that encourages respectful debate, establishes safe spaces, and grants employees the freedom to express their perspectives without fear of repercussions. Embracing this shift fosters inclusivity and values diverse voices, ultimately contributing to a more informed and progressive workforce.
For further insights into professional opinions on socio-political discussions in the modern workplace, the full report can be accessed to gain deeper understanding.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
