How to Handle a Coworker Who is Trying to Force You Into a Political Debate?

Do you find yourself at the receiving end of a coworker who is persistently trying to coax you into a political debate? Do you feel annoyed that you have to prove yourself in a capacity that has nothing to you with your professional role? If so, know that effective measures might be closer at hand than you think.

A Case Study

Julia works as a senior IC at a FAANG. One of her juniors tried to goad her into arguments based on a one-off political comment she made. Soon, it got to a point where she had to tell him that while their political views might not be the same, she was not comfortable discussing them, at work or elsewhere.

That did not have the desired effect, so she had to tell him she was banning all political conversations between them.  While this finally put an end to her woes, she said she was prepared to go to HR as a last resort.

What this goes to show is that simply asserting yourself might do the trick.

Set Boundaries

With political statements and opinions around the country flying thick and fast, it is very important to protect your boundaries. Where things stand, political debates are no more than two sides standing on their high horses – screaming about how and why they are right. If a coworker is pushing you into a political debate, simply say you would rather focus on work. 

Remember that you don’t have to talk about anything that is not related to your work while you are at work. Instead, you should feel empowered enough to decide whether or not you wish to participate in such conversations.

Know When to Take a Step Back

You need to be aware of the other person’s energy and body language so you can determine if a situation is getting heated or confrontational. If so, your best bet is to walk away. This is because staying calm and composed in a professional setting is way more important than trying to get someone else to see your point.

Backing away is easy. All you need to do is say you have something else to do. This could be getting back to work, making a phone call, or running an errand. Alternatively, you can try changing the topic. If that does not work, you might need to follow a more direct approach. In this case, you could say you simply don’t want to talk about it anymore.

If you reach a point where you feel a flutter in your stomach, a racing heart, or sweaty palms, know that your body has entered the fight or flight mode. At this stage, calming down requires that you make a conscious effort. The best you can do is end the conversation in an amicable manner.

Be Respectful

Respecting others’ political views at the workplace is just as important at respecting other aspects of their lives. Just because a coworker does not share the same political views as you, it does not have to lead to hostility, harassment, or retaliation. So, even if you feel you are being pushed in a corner and are being forced to retaliate, simply take the higher road and walk away.

When All Else Fails

Companies do not want their employees’ political inclinations and affiliations to affect their work in any adverse way. They want you to do your job well and be on your way. If all the efforts you put in getting your coworker to back off go in vain, consider taking the matter up with your HR department.

Unfortunately, data released by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) suggests that more than a third of working American feel that their workplaces are not inclusive of different political perspectives. If you find that your HR is not taking effective measures to alleviate your problem, you might have to think about whether you wish to continue in your existing role or look for a new job.

If you feel your coworker’s persistence constitutes as harassment, you might even want to get a legal opinion. 

Conclusion

Falling into a trap and ending up arguing about your political views with a coworker will do you no good. After all, neither of you are going to change your political views through the course of a heated argument. Remember that entering a political debate of refraining from one is entirely up to you, and when at work, steering clear of any such situation is always in your best interest.

How to Deal With a Biased Boss?

Do you think your boss showers one or more employees in your team with special treatment, while the efforts of others go in vain? If so, understand that the workplace is almost never a level playing field because bosses and employees are all too human. Work place favoritism has probably existed since the dawn of workplaces, and most people find themselves at one end of the spectrum or other at some point in time.

While dealing with a biased boss might seem daunting, you need put your foot down at some stage in order to move forward professionally. Fortunately, finding a solution might be simpler than you think.

Signs of a Biased Boss

You need to be sure if your boss is biased so you may take effective corrective actions. Here are signs that mark bias in a boss.

• A particular employee is constantly showered with praise for no apparent reason.
• Others in your team get better career development opportunities.
• You feel micromanaged all the time.
• You don’t get feedback.
• Your request for a raise is rejected without a valid reason.
• You’re not included in important meetings.
• You receive criticism even when you do a good job. 

Are You Really a Victim?

Are you sure that your boss is biased or might you have perceived a situation incorrectly? One way to determine if you’re thinking straight is to ask your colleagues if they feel the same way. Pay attention to conversations between your boss and those who you feel receive undue praise. Could it be that the people you who feel are being favored are actually more adept at handling tasks assigned to them? Remember that an incorrect assumption can lead to drastic consequences.

Act Normally

Pretend that you have no inclination about your boss playing favorites. You definitely don’t want your boss to see you in bad light, which is why you need to keep all adverse reactions at bay. While you might not be your boss’ favorite, you don’t want to end up at the bottom of the ladder either. Bear in mind that emotions can cloud your vision. Determine what the favored employee is doing right, because two can play the game.

Know Your Performance Metrics

Seek clarity about the performance metrics that apply on your team. Ask for your key responsibility areas (KRAs) so you can identify the basis of your evaluation. With a clear picture of your targets and expected standards, you know just what you need to do to get your boss’ attention. However, this also requires that you put your best foot forward consistently, and work on improving your skills.

Find a Mentor

If you feel that no matter what you do your boss is just not giving you your due, consider finding a mentor. A mentor can guide you in exploring other possible roles within your organization based on your skill set. In addition, you may also receive guidance surrounding what you need to do to improve your skills and how to get noticed by other leaders in your organization.

Document All That You See and Hear

Once you’re sure that your boss is biased, start documenting all that you might see or hear about him/her, because this is crucial when it comes to establishing a pattern of biased behavior. However, this step requires that you be honest and objective. You might make use of this documentation at a later stage, if higher ups or the HR department enters the picture.

Talk to Your Boss

You might consider bringing your reservations up with your boss directly. However, make sure you are subtle, as opposed to being accusatory. In some cases, highlighting clear data points instead of making generic statements helps bring to the surface some unconscious biases.

Explore Other Options

When all else fails, you might want to look for other opportunities, either within your organization, or elsewhere. Some organizations give employees the ability to make lateral moves to other managers or projects. At this stage, affecting a positive change is basically up to you.

What You Need to Do If You Face Discriminatory Bias

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) states that it is illegal to discriminate against employees based on race, religion, color, sex, age (40 or older), national origin, disability, or genetic information. It is also illegal to retaliate against anyone who has complained about discrimination, filed an official complaint about discrimination, or taken part in an employment discrimination lawsuit or investigation.

If you find yourself in any such situation, consider filing a complaint with your organization’s HR department. You might also think about contacting a lawyer and/or the EEOC.

Conclusion

There is no reason for you to go out of your way to please your boss as long as you’re good at your work. What you need to bear in mind, though, is that your boss is simply trying to provide value to his/her boss. Favorites typically help managers look good in front of their bosses, so there’s no real bias there. If you can think of a way to make your boss’ life easier, you might find yourself becoming the next favorite. If things seem beyond your control and the bias is real, reporting it might be your best bet.

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