Tuesday, October 28, 2008
By Mike Copeland
Tribune-Herald business editor
Sharing opinions about Barack Obama or John McCain while on the job is fine with some Waco-area employers, but others suggest that their employees leave their feelings at the door when they come to work.
“I think that’s freedom of speech. I don’t have any problem with it,” said Peter Kultgen at Bird-Kultgen Ford. “I don’t let anyone put up any signs, but if the guys are out there discussing who they’re voting for or soliciting one of their fellow employees to vote for a candidate, that sounds like it’s protected by the First Amendment.”
Bill Nesbitt, chairman and CEO of Central National Bank, sees the issue differently, saying that private matters such as politics and religion are probably not good fodder for workplace conversation.
“It just takes one person to make everybody else uncomfortable,” Nesbitt said. “The workplace is where people have very different opinions, and you’re probably not going to change anyone’s mind, so it’s best not to talk up your candidate.”
Nesbitt said he does not try to muzzle anyone. He said in most work settings, the employees themselves can deal with co-workers who get too noisy with their opinions.
Waco attorney Pete Rusek, who specializes in employment law, said he believes private employers can instruct their employees not to talk about politics on company time.
“You don’t have a free-speech right in a private place of employment,” Rusek said, adding that a private employer can even allow conversation about some subjects but not others.
He said employers who allow political discussions should be sensitive to the tone of those conversations to make sure a hostile work environment is not created. He said that would be true regardless of what employees are discussing.
Baylor University sociologist Larry Lyon said talking politics on the job can create both headaches and opportunities.
He said managers might consider it out of bounds for an employee to make a political statement that could be identified with the workplace.
“Most businesses don’t want to alienate half their customer base,” Lyon said.
But he added that a diverse workplace provides a unique opportunity to talk politics with people who may have differing opinions.
“I can guess with considerable accuracy the people in our office who will vote for Obama and the ones who will vote for McCain,” Lyon said. “I see nothing wrong with some good-natured humor or discussions about those choices.”
He added, “The danger comes when you assume someone believes the same way you do, and you say something negative about a candidate and offend that person. You probably need to hold off on those conversations until you know someone pretty well.”
Janie Stuckly, manager of the Placements Unlimited staffing firm in Waco, said: “We always tell employees to leave personal issues at the door — religion, politics, whatever. When you get into the subject of politics, it’s almost like religion. People are going to feel uncomfortable, and you’re going to have fighting.”
Quality Care of Waco thinks voting is so important that it hosted a forum for Democratic and Republican candidates Oct. 2 and invited residents and staffers to attend, said Carol Burton, community affairs director.
Jim Smith, business development officer for Educators Credit Union, said allowing employees to talk up their favorite candidates is something he allows — up to a point.
“Freedom of speech is certainly something we recognize, but we have to balance that with the fact members are coming through the door supporting all parties, and we don’t want to offend them,” he said. “If employees want to talk politics among themselves, no problem.”
The Texas Farm Bureau, which is based in Waco, has a political action committee and takes stands on candidates and issues.
“As far as regular employees who come in and talk about political things, that’s even encouraged,” spokesman Gene Hall said.
mcopeland@wacotrib.com
757-5736
Comments
By g0dzilla
Oct 28, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
Free America where have you been these past 8 years? The American people have lost more rights in these past 8 years than any other time in our American History. Lets remember this little thing called the PATRIOT ACT. Patriot BS when civil liberties are infringed upon. Now with this economic bailout the feds have control of the Nation's Banks. Trading in monies for stock share. Come on get real! Thanks to our paranoia of terroism we have over extended ourselves financially and militarily while Russia profits and gets rich. Russia has the most rapid growth of millionares this past decade. I just don't want your OBama socialism BS to cloud people's decision.
By Free American
Oct 28, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
If the employer will allow it, political discussion at work are one of the better dissemination venues for political ideology. Many people don't watch a lot of television or read political discussions on line. We all spend about as much time at work as we do with our families or socializing with our friends. Discussions at work give those of who care, a chance to bring those who aren't politically astute to their senses by revealing to them just how beneficial it would be to our wonderful country if they would cast their vote for a Republican. One worrisome aspect of the current political debate though is that many of us are being accused of being racists simply because we're diametrically opposed to Obama simply because of his shady background, his beliefs and his socialistic plans for the United States.
In regards to low-paying jobs in Waco; Every city has their share of them and Waco isn't any different. There are though, many medium and high paying positions in Waco to be had providing one has either the collegiate or years of experience credentials. And who can gripe about the cost of living in the area? Noticeable though, some fields may pay a bit less in Waco due to T.S.T.C. churning out so many well educated and well prepared graduates who decide to try to settle locally in their chosen fields. It creates a brain glut but it's well worth it to have one of the best schools in the country in our county.
By Matthew O'Ryan
Oct 28, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
How embarrassing. First, the Trib gives a non-endorsement endorsement of Senator Obama, because they fear a readership backlash after the 2004 fiasco. Then, they publish this puker with a totally unfair front page.
How many Obama stickers are on the cooler? Okay, now how many McCain stickers are on the cooler? How about sticker size?
Why can't you be evenhanded with something as simple as a front-page graphic? If you go with the "rogue artist" defense, where is Carlos or Belinda?
By g0dzilla
Oct 28, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
Three things never talk about in a workplace. Sex, Religion, and Politics. Its a deal breaker once you talk about it. Regardless of freedom of speech business is business and you want their money. I think these previous blogs are digressing.
By observer
Oct 28, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
If you are in a business dealing with the public sector then you need to ZIPPO on the personal chit chat about religion and politics. This is common sense to successful business people. You can never risk alienating your customers with some off the wall crack.
At home or your bar, let er fly, but an arguement will still break out. Maybe the worse that can happen is that you get hit over the head with a bottle. Maybe stick to talking about the weather or Margaret Mills.
By trish
Oct 28, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Fred,
Yes, pay in Waco is very bad. Low wages is directly proportional to violent crime and Waco has the highest crime rate in Texas; but what has this to do with allowing or disallowing political talk at work?
By observer
Oct 28, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Smart people know to be careful with the subjects of religion and politics. These are volatile topics and can blow up with very little kindling.
Dumb people are dumb for a reason. :)
Avoid these subjects....they are deal blowers even in your own house.
By Ratso
Oct 28, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
I let my guys discuss whatever they want... politics, money, cars, economy, gas prices, who they banged over the weekend, etc... it's all good...
By Chuck
Oct 28, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Fred ........who peed in your warm spot??
By Wages in waco
Oct 28, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
OK Fred, I'm going to have agree with you.....this time. If you look up labor market information for wages in Texas (I think it is on the Texas workforce site) wages in Waco are almost always lower than the state average. That's why we can not keep a trained workforce in McLennan county. They all move off to where the pay is better. Some people say that the cost of living is a lot lower here, but I do not see that.....just my opinion.
[1 2] next
Commenting is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F, except on Tuesday when it's open until 9 p.m.
Post a comment
*HTML not allowed in comments. Your e-mail address is required.