My wife, a Nittany Lion by forced indoctrination (mine) has stated many times that she will not discuss politics at work because this subject is divisive and creates hard feelings. She also reports that others freely discuss politics and 90% plus are very pointed to one direction of the political spectrum. She has observed this at three work places over the years. I agree that workplace political discussions are often divisive and if they are not so it is because all the opinions are focused and all are in agreement, the vocal ones, not the silent fraction. The less the vocal minority are acknowledged the louder they shout their opinions as it might or volume make right. Neither do.
On their lunch break staff are free to discuss any topic they desire but to do so when others are trapped within earshot of the diatribes is a tactic to intimidate the less vocal or those who are just trying to fulfill their obligations to their employer and go home with a few dollars more in their pocket to either enjoy their time off or go to another job to make ends meet. Political intimidation during work hours is not a fine first amendment rights prerogative but a juvenile, cliquish tactic to obtain a short lived, self proclaimed victory in a war they alone are fighting.
On their lunch break staff are free to discuss any topic they desire but to do so when others are trapped within earshot of the diatribes is a tactic to intimidate the less vocal or those who are just trying to fulfill their obligations to their employer and go home with a few dollars more in their pocket to either enjoy their time off or go to another job to make ends meet. Political intimidation during work hours is not a fine first amendment rights prerogative but a juvenile, cliquish tactic to obtain a short lived, self proclaimed victory in a war they alone are fighting.
