Employers’ Role in Culture War Conflicts
Escalating culture war conflicts and heightened tensions can spill into the workplace when employee conduct relates to national and global political controversies . Whether in the office, through the virtual workplace, or via social media , employee political and ideological speech may require employers to navigate various legal considerations and take action . The tensions are continuing to escalate with government agencies’ inviting complaints and political figures’ urging citizens to report employees to their employers. Although these conflicts have become more commonplace in recent years, they are layered, nuanced, and continually evolving. Before taking action, employers can help minimize the influence of politicized and polarized opinions by focusing on the following key considerations, which provide a foundation for addressing conflict, responding to complaints, and navigating the potential for litigation. Key Cons...