Survey reveals 70% of employees feel threatened by political differences

WASHINGTON (TNND) — New data reveals that a significant number of U.S. workers have experienced or witnessed escalation of tensions, threats, and even violence due to political disagreements.

Accordingly Civilization Index of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM):

• 70% of U.S. workers report seeing and/or witnessing people threatening each other over differences of political views in their daily lives.
• 69% of U.S. workers have experienced and/or witnessed people committing violence against each other in their daily lives due to differences in political views.
• 78% of US workers surveyed reported experiencing or witnessing mistreatment in their daily lives because of their political views.

Jim Link, SHRM’s chief human resources officer, said there are several reasons for these numbers.

“Some of the things that are driving this are certainly the efficient use of social media and digital technology to share knowledge and information,” he said. “There’s a lot at stake no matter which side of the fence you’re on, and people tend to be somewhat polarized in their views on these issues right now.”

Link added employees should speak up and report rude behavior, harassment, discrimination and violence.

With elections coming up next week, the responsibility to speak out about this behavior is now more urgent than ever.

On average, about half of our employee population will feel they have lost or gained, but this gives every employer a unique opportunity to rebuild the boundaries of empathic listening and dialogue and truly engage with each other. A respectful, courteous and civilized way,” Link explained.

“Leaders need to make it clear that civility in the workplace is a requirement. They need to say very clearly that it’s okay to be kind to each other in our dialogue, in the way we approach each other, in our expectations, and in our mutual respect that we should demand from each other,” he encouraged. “When it comes to dialogue, both There needs to be both an active speaker and an active listener, and we seem to have forgotten that lost art of active communication. And finally, managers and leaders absolutely have to address uncivil behavior when it occurs. “

According to SHRM, reduced productivity and absenteeism due to incivility costs U.S. businesses approximately $2.17 billion per day.