Opinion: Borka Shoemaker
These days, it’s hard to get through a day without politics coming up. With elections around the corner, everyone feels a bit more on edge: some are excited, others more tense, and many feel both at once. Politics isn’t just in the news anymore—it’s woven into kitchen chats, family dinners, and hangouts with friends.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I genuinely believe we can and should talk about politics. Dialogue matters, even when we disagree. In fact, that’s when it matters most. But I also think it’s no coincidence that some settings just aren’t great for these conversations.
The workplace is a prime example.
As much as we like to think we’re a team, work relationships aren’t equal. There’s a boss and employees, decision-makers and those who depend on them, spoken and unspoken expectations. Not every opinion gets expressed freely in this setup.
That’s why it feels tricky when the boss starts talking politics.
It’s not necessarily about whether their views match mine—whether we voted the same way is secondary here. I might agree or not. The real issue is that not everyone feels safe enough to respond honestly. People tend to stay quiet, nod along, or skillfully avoid the topic. But if not everyone can speak freely, politics isn’t worth discussing.
So, what can you do?
First, accept that you don’t have to “win” every situation. If your boss launches into a political monologue by the coffee machine, jumping into a debate right away might not be the best move—especially if your work situation feels delicate. Sometimes, choosing not to engage is totally valid.
Here, neutral responses come in handy. A brief, respectful but non-committal phrase—like “I see where you’re coming from”—often stops the conversation from deepening. You don’t have to comment on every opinion.
If it becomes a regular thing and starts feeling uncomfortable, gently setting boundaries is worth considering. Not confrontational or preachy, but honest and firm.
For example, you can say that for you, work is a space to focus on tasks. It’s not an attack, just a personal preference.
Of course, this isn’t always easy. A lot depends on your boss’s personality and the workplace culture. Some places allow this, others might find even that sentence too much.
Another option is to steer the conversation. If you sense it’s heading toward politics, gently bring it back to a work-related topic. It’s a discreet but effective way to signal that this isn’t your priority right now.
What I believe is fundamental: we’re never obligated to join conversations where we don’t feel comfortable—even if the boss starts them.
Politics can be an important and valuable topic—but not every space is right for it. And a workplace with unequal power dynamics rarely is. Maybe that’s why it’d be great if not just employees but leaders kept this in mind.
