By Dr. Akilah Cadet
The 2020 election is unlike any election in modern day history. The pandemic has led to some of your workforce working at home. Injustices have become part of daily conversations. As a result, the workplace (which is home for some of your employees) has become a place where politics are discussed.
Your employees have a higher probability of anxiety and stress due to the election. Keep in mind that results will not be announced election night as we are accustomed too. The results may take a few weeks. Be mindful of different perspectives and do all that you can to minimize eruptive behavior in your workplace. Here is what we suggest for election preparation:
Pre-Statement: Prior to November 3rd send a statement providing resources and support to all employees. The letter should come from the highest executive (CEO, President, Executive Director).
EAP: Share a reminder for your Employee Assistance Program and any support it offers for mental health or group coaching/therapy.
Mental Health: Remind employees they have access to counselors/therapists through EAP or their insurance. Keep in mind that some insurance companies offer mindfulness apps like Calm or Headspace.
Mindfulness/Wellness: Like the above, you may want to add a link to encourage stress and anxiety management. This can include guided mediation, yoga, desk stretches, mindfulness and breathing exercises. Some managers may want to add to their team meetings.
Open Forum: Offer an open forum or facilitated discussion the week of the election. Allow for this time to be a place for people to talk about how they feel and concerns for the nation. Keep it focused to listening and not taking sides. It can be led by leadership, HR/Talent, or DEI committee. Make sure to set ground rules including but not limited to: actively listen, safe space, one speaker at a time, a place to vent, setting expectations of what to share outside of the group etc. This is something you may want to repeat weekly or until the election is decided.
Voting Day: If you offer a day off or time off for democracy (voting, polling, protesting) please remind your staff.
Mental Health Day: Let your employees know that they can take a mental health day or time for their mental health on Nov 4th or during the waiting period. This is a proactive way to assure that your staff know they have an outlet and work is a supported place for self-care. Your employees may need to get groceries, fill prescriptions, and full their car with gas in order to feel safe or be prepared to temporarily relocate.
·Screen Off Time: Allow for screen off time during the waiting period. It may be a challenge to look presentable or focus in video conference spaces.
Manager Check In: Encourage your managers to check in with their teams. In team meetings managers can do a one word check in during the beginning or end of a meeting. Ask questions like “share one word of how you feel right now/with the recent election news/about society/what you need to feel supported at work etc. If there are words that are either sad or negative, the manager should check in with that team member. Managers should encourage their department to communicate if they need additional support, time off, or tools to complete work tasks.
Point of Contact: Share how employees can contact a lead for support. This may be Human Resources, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Lead, or Manager.
Post Statement: On November 4th send a reminder email to all employees. Reiterate above. Employees may be in a different headspace and may appreciate the reminder of self-care. Note: If there are protests happening this day or this week, please communicate what the company will do to support employees. This is especially important for employees who work in physical spaces/are unable to work remotely.
Day of the Results Statement: When results are announced (could be weeks), have a statement ready to go. Keep in mind that your company many need to have an internal and external statement depending on the results. Either way there is a guarantee there will be protests so be prepared.
Biden Elected:
Still encourage mental health support and group discussions.
Employees will still be concerned about protests and the final days of Trump’s presidency. Executive orders can cause additional protests and more anxiety and stress.
Trump Elected:
Follow the plan as outlined for the pre-statement. Remind your staff about mental health support and group discussions.
Provide support for employees who work in physical spaces. It may be difficult to get to work or it may not safe due to protests.
Prepare an external statement. Due to Trump’s affiliation to white supremacy and demonstrated racist behavior it is important to have a statement that the company does not condone racism or white supremacy (whichever statement the company feels more comfortable with). Again, there is a high probability of protests and corresponding actions from the Trump administration that may make it even more difficult for Black employees, BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color), and white allies to function effectively at work. An internal and external statement will reaffirm the trust employees have in leadership and diversity/belonging efforts.
Remember it is better to be over-prepared and proactive than reactive. Keep doing the work!