Here are a few examples of the topics I don't want to discuss at work, because my workplace is full of zealots who would accuse me of bigotry and I don't want to get entangled in HR discussions:
- illegal immigration
- importance of "pipeline" on workplace diversity
- effectiveness of company policies to foster diversity
A side effect is that open conversations are now almost silenced in a company which once prided on open culture. People now speak out only in smaller cliques of their friends, and this is having a massively negative impact on company culture.
Illegal immigration is a distracting election talking point. It affects us much less than it is purported to. And I’ve thought that news articles about company diversity are hit jobs to move a stock price.
In any case, these topics have high emotional stakes, but are completely subjective. Unlike talking about your favorite movies, which is also a subjective topic, but with much less emotional investment.
I have to ask; why do you want to talk to your coworkers about this stuff? What are you going to get out of it? Are you trying to feel justified about an opinion you hold? I just have no idea why anyone would want to talk about this with people they have to get along with everyday.
- illegal immigration
- importance of "pipeline" on workplace diversity
- effectiveness of company policies to foster diversity
A side effect is that open conversations are now almost silenced in a company which once prided on open culture. People now speak out only in smaller cliques of their friends, and this is having a massively negative impact on company culture.