GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — With the 2024 presidential election just days away, political tensions are affecting many relationships, including those in the workplace.
According to a survey conducted by Resume Builder, over 25% of managers report that the upcoming election has already sparked conflicts among employees. These political disputes manifest in various ways across party lines.
Among the 1,000 managers surveyed, the most common issues reported were strained relationships, verbal disputes and a decline in team unity. As tensions rise and managers aim to deescalate workplace drama, local voters and advocates believe that these conflicts are unnecessary.
Ray Wilder, a long-time resident of Germantown, shared his perspective. He plans to vote for Donald Trump for president. His neighbors, on the other hand, support Kamala Harris for president.
“I had a tree fall in the street, and they came to handle it before anyone else arrived," he said. "I mean, they’re nice folks. People can have different opinions.”
This is the message he hopes employees will consider, especially in the workplace.
The Resume Builder survey indicates that 70% of managers are concerned about potential increased conflicts following Election Day, with many encouraging their employees to work from home to avoid issues.
“There's no place for violence in this atmosphere because it could escalate very quickly,” said Ian Randolph with the Shelby County Voter Alliance, who has engaged in discussions with voters across party lines.
He believes that politics should be left when workers are off the clock.
“It’s probably best to leave politics out of the workplace because you’re there to do a job, and you don’t want to create problems with your coworkers," he said.
However, Wilder feels there is no way to avoid the fallout from the election.
“It’s going to be interesting because people are going to freak out, and I don’t see any way around it right now,” he said.
Managers have also reported a significant decline in productivity and overall performance. Additionally, one in four employees said they are not willing to collaborate with colleagues who hold different political beliefs.