How To Handle Unprecedented Workplace Tension This Election Season: A 10-Step Action Plan

This newsletter article was published on September 4, 2020 by Megan Janes in Fort Lauderdale and Jennifer Sandberg in Atlanta.

What a year! 2020 has been full of challenges, both personal and professional. Personally, each of us have our own story. Professionally, workplaces have been rocked with unprecedented turmoil as we navigate COVID-19 and the lasting impact of the social justice protest movement. And now, we will close out 2020 with a contentious presidential election. 

A pandemic, racial tensions, concerns about inaccurate news, fears of election fraud, and the potential for high stakes espionage may make workplace issues seem trivial – but just wait until it’s your workplace, regardless of whether you are an employee, manager, or senior leadership. You should anticipate election-related workplace issues regardless of whether your workplace remains virtual, never closed, or falls somewhere in between.

As we count down to the election (less than 60 days to go!) and then the inauguration (a little more than four months to go!), we all have some listening to do. Why listen? Because it may turn out that you are wrong. This article will cover some common misconceptions and provide some legal standards to keep in mind. It then offers a 10-point action plan to proactively avoid problems and respond to them if they arise. The article concludes with information about an interactive workshop that may be of value in helping you address specific issues of tension in your workplace.