Embarrassed. That’s how Sam Smith (last name changed), 32, says he feels about JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon’s 2018 rant in which he claimed to be tougher and smarter than President Trump, and that he could beat him in an election.
“It’s disconcerting when the CEO of your employer says something like that about the president,” says the software engineer. “We’re supposed to trust [Dimon’s] judgement. Our paychecks and bonuses depend on him.”
Sam says he also got into a kerfuffle about the incident with some co-workers. “They cited freedom of speech. I argued that when you’re the CEO, you speak for the company. Anyways, we’re over it now, but it could have gotten ugly.”
Welcome to the new world of work, where discussing politics, once considered taboo, is quickly becoming the norm. In a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 56 percent of US employees said that politics and the discussion of political issues have become more common in the past four years. Forty-two percent have personally experienced political disagreements at work, while 34 percent said their workplace is not inclusive of differing political perspectives, and 12 percent have personally experienced bias because of their political-affiliation bias.
Jamie Dimon, Chair and CEO of JP Morgan ChaseGetty Images
Moreover, president of SHRM Johnny Taylor says an unprecedented number of employers are calling his office for counsel about dealing with situations arising from political discussions. “They want to know if they can ban them,” he says, noting that public companies can’t, but some private companies can. “But that’s not what we recommend.”
He suggests that employers encourage workers to engage civilly. “But if talking about politics becomes a distraction and takes away from work, managers are going to have to deal with it, or people might leave,” he says.
Enduring a constant barrage of political talk was one of the reasons that Sarah Johnson, a public relations director at Midtown-based Fit Small Business, quit her last job. “I started there right before the 2016 election and all I heard, all day, was how great one particular candidate was,” she says. “And then when Trump won the election, everyone was devastated.”
Things got worse for the Upper East Sider. “All anyone talked about was protesting against Trump. The only way you could get time off was if you were going to protest.”
Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler, Ph.D., author of “Optimal Outcomes: Free Yourself From Conflict at Work, at Home, and in Life” (Harper Business, out Feb. 25) says you may not have to go as far as quitting to escape the chatter. “Try addressing the issue head-on.
Say something like, ‘Hey, I love you, but I’d rather not talk about politics all of the time,’ or ‘These discussions are getting in the way of my work,’ ” she says.
That said, sometimes bosses, and others, believe that everyone has the same opinions and feelings they do and have no idea that they might be making others feel uncomfortable.
“There, it’s the manager that might need to make the change,” says Goldman-Wetzler. However, if everyone wants to talk about politics all of time and you don’t, consider if you fit the job. “Some people do better if they are aligned with a company’s values,” she says.
Christina Roldan, managing director of Gentleman Scholar, a creative production company in Soho, says that people in her office talk about presidential politics, and other politics, freely, all the time. One of the art directors, Dennis Go, is Chinese-Filipino and was openly excited about former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, who dropped out of the race last week.
‘When Trump won the election, everyone was devastated.’
“[He] wore his Yang Gang gear to work,” says Roldan. “We’ve discussed if Michael Bloomberg has a chance of getting the nomination due to his being Jewish and how that may affect him being elected with some of the horrible anti-Semitic activities happening in the country . . . We also had a lot of tears after Trump won, so there wasn’t much hiding there either,” she says.
Roldan sees the differences in opinion at Gentleman Scholar “as a way of celebrating our diversity.” However, Gentleman Scholar seems to be more the exception than the rule. A survey by the Ascent, a financial review hub owned by the Motley Fool, found that more than 77 percent of survey respondents said that they’d be less comfortable discussing politics at work than their health or quitting their jobs.
But conversations about politics, including the environment and sustainability, don’t need to be confrontational, says Jason Parkin, president and chief creative officer of Compose[d], a provider of digital and creative services in Midtown. Although he hasn’t told his staff whom he plans to vote for in the primaries, he suspects they know. “I feel very strongly about the environment,” he says. Yet, “inclusivity and standing up for equality are also very dear to me. You don’t need to think like we do to be hired or to fit into a particular box to work here.”
Still, the entire team at Compose[d] went to the Climate Strike in September without losing a day of pay. “No one was forced to go, they could have stayed in the office and worked. They wouldn’t have been shamed,” says Parkin.
You do need to be careful about how and when you express your political opinions in the workplace, especially in job interviews. Abby Thomas, the New York branch manager at Robert Half, a human resources consulting firm, says she was put off by a candidate who started her interview by talking about the divisive political climate. “It’s not what she said, but the context. Politics can be very emotional and polarizing. You have to be mindful of that.”
New Brunswick voters have elected a Liberal majority government, tossing out the incumbent Progressive Conservatives after six years in power and handing the reins to the first woman ever to lead the province. Liberal Leader Susan Holt spent much of the campaign rolling out proposed fixes for a health-care system racked by a doctor shortage, overcrowded emergency rooms and long wait-times. She promised to open 30 community health clinics across the province by 2028. (Oct. 22, 2024)
Susan Holt has made history in New Brunswick by becoming the first woman to serve as the leader of the province’s Liberal Party, a significant milestone in the province’s political landscape. Holt’s leadership victory signals a new era of representation, gender equality, and change in the region, which has long been dominated by male politicians.
Holt’s journey to the top has been one of perseverance and dedication. Before entering politics, she built a distinguished career in the private sector, where she held numerous leadership positions. Her experience in business development and public policy has equipped her with the skills needed to navigate the complex world of politics.
In a province where women have historically been underrepresented in politics, Holt’s election represents a watershed moment. Women’s involvement in leadership roles has been steadily increasing nationwide, but New Brunswick, like many parts of Canada, has seen slower progress in achieving gender parity. Holt’s rise to the top of the Liberal Party not only shatters a glass ceiling but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of women aiming for political leadership.
As the leader of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, Holt has laid out a vision of inclusivity and progress. Her policies focus on economic development, healthcare reform, environmental sustainability, and addressing social issues that have plagued the province. She has also emphasized the importance of transparent governance and creating opportunities for underrepresented communities, making her platform both modern and forward-thinking.
Holt’s leadership arrives at a time when many voters are calling for change, especially in the face of challenges like economic uncertainty and the need for healthcare improvements. She aims to bring fresh ideas to tackle these issues while ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their background, have a voice in government decisions.
Susan Holt joins the ranks of other trailblazing women across Canada who have led provincial parties and governments. Women like former Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne have paved the way, and now Holt is contributing to this growing legacy of female political leadership in Canada.
Her achievement highlights not only the growing number of women entering politics but also the demand for leaders who can bring diverse perspectives to the table. In a field often dominated by entrenched traditions, Holt’s election is a step toward a more inclusive and representative political landscape in New Brunswick.
Holt’s leadership signals a broader shift in Canadian politics, where more women and diverse voices are gaining prominence. For young women across the country, her rise serves as a powerful reminder that leadership roles are within reach, even in traditionally male-dominated spheres.
With her election, Susan Holt has proven that perseverance, skill, and a vision for change can break even the toughest barriers. Her leadership will not only reshape New Brunswick’s political future but also inspire others across Canada to pursue leadership positions and continue to challenge the status quo.
NDP Leader Carla Beck has two planned campaign events today, starting the day with an availability in Moose Jaw and then later this evening attending an event in the capital with the Regina Medical Staff Association.
Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe, meanwhile, will speak in Prince Albert at the start of Voting Week in the province.
Saskatchewan residents can vote for five days starting today in the lead-up to next week’s provincial election, although polls won’t be open Sunday.
The NDP and the Saskatchewan Party are urging voters to cast their ballots early.
Voters can find their polling stations on their information cards or by visiting the Elections Saskatchewan website.
Chief electoral officer Michael Boda says there are about 810,000 registered voters in Saskatchewan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
