And How Personalized Support Can Help
In offices across the United States, political conversations increase as election day nears, posing a potential threat to cohesion.
It’s important to note that stress and division is particularly high this decade. From 2016 to 2020, election stress grew from 52% to 68% among U.S. adults (American Psychological Association). On top of that, political-related violence and threats are on the rise.
For HR leaders, this presents a challenge: How can you support your employees through political stress while maintaining a productive and inclusive work environment?
1. Acknowledge and Address Political Stress
Ignoring election-related stress is a mistake. Employees are experiencing anxiety around the political climate, and it can impact their performance. Encourage open dialogue, but with boundaries. Create guidelines for respectful political discussions at work, ensuring that conversations remain civil and do not disrupt the team.
2. Provide Personalized 1:1 Support
Employees experience political stress differently, and this is where personalized support can be invaluable. Offering access to 1:1 coaching or mental health support allows employees to process their feelings in a confidential, safe space. Personal support helps employees manage their emotions without carrying that stress into their workday.
3. Foster Psychological Safety
It’s important that your workplace feels like a safe space for everyone, regardless of political beliefs. Psychological safety is key to maintaining productivity. Harvard Business Review found that teams with high psychological safety are 12% more productive. Create opportunities for employees to engage in stress-relieving activities or access mindfulness resources during high-stress periods.
4. Implement Long-Term Solutions
Election stress is cyclical, but it can have a lasting impact. Building resilience in employees is critical, as it prepares them to handle stress from all sources—both personal and professional. Provide ongoing resources for mental health support, stress management training, and encourage work-life balance to help employees build long-term resilience.
Dr. Kim Byrd’s Experience With Election-Related Stress
Dr. Kimberly Byrd is a workplace psychology expert, with a Doctorate in organizational leadership. On September 26th, she’s talking to Boon CEO and Co-Founder Alex Simmons about the role politics plays in the workplace, and some tried and tested strategies that can keep it a psychological safe haven from divisive rhetoric this coming November. RSVP to hear her presentation.
Election-related stress at work is a real thing that happens, but HR leaders can play a pivotal role in guiding their teams through it. By offering personalized support, fostering open yet respectful dialogue, and providing long-term resources, organizations can help employees manage stress effectively and maintain a positive, inclusive workplace.
