54% of Millennial and Gen Z Workers in the U.S Are Expressing Discomfort with Political Discussions Occurring in Meetings

A recent survey by Indeed found that more than one-third (35%) of millennial and Gen Z workers in the U.S. admitted to discussing politics at work, while 44% reported hearing others engage in such conversations. However, 54% of those surveyed expressed discomfort with political discussions occurring in meetings.

A 2024 survey of HR leaders by the University of South Carolina indicated that Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) have generally adopted a “hands-off” stance on political discourse in the workplace. Instead of intervening, employers tend to remind employees of the importance of engaging in respectful political discussions.

Despite this guidance, 16% of respondents to the Indeed survey acknowledged avoiding colleagues who hold different political views.

Edward Beltran, CEO of the leadership and development company Fierce, commented to SHRM that political unrest and societal divisions often spill over into professional settings, influencing behavior and interactions. He noted that employees often bring heightened emotions and reduced patience into the workplace, which can result in more frequent instances of incivility.

The survey revealed that 28% of workers would consider leaving a job due to political disagreements. As some employers attempt to minimize their political statements, they may need to consider how perceived political leanings could impact employee retention. The data showed that 60% of workers preferred to work for a company where the CEO’s political beliefs align with their own.

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