Is work the right place to talk politics?

PITTSBURGH – You might want to be careful about getting your Bern on in the lunch room or stumping for Trump at the water cooler.

With the presidential election year upon us, and a spirited one at that, political talk in the office is probably inevitable. But you might want to tread lightly if you plan to engage in such banter.

Of the more than 1,000 workers who responded to a recent online poll by the staffing firm Accountemps, 56 percent thought that political discussions could get heated and offend others. The other 44 percent said such conversations help to keep workers informed.

The divide is greater among women, with 66 percent saying political talk could get heated and offend others.

Among men, 48 percent thought so. A majority of workers — 52 percent — under the age of 35 thought such discussions helped to keep workers informed, while 61 percent of those age 35 or older felt they had the potential to offend.

Given the results, you might want to weigh your words when you wade into political conversations, said Carrie Haglund, vice president of Accountemps, a division of Robert Half, a staffing agency with 330 offices worldwide.

"Those discussions are going to happen. They're inevitable in today's" political climate, she said. "It's just approaching them with tact; try to avoid offending anyone and, if you're unsure, try to avoid them altogether."

It's important, Haglund said, to avoid turning the discussion into an argument or a lecture. You also need to know when to let it go.

"If there's something you want to talk about, discuss it with tact without offending anyone. If it does become heated, just change the subject and walk away," she said.

She also advises workers to be careful in the way they phrase their opinions and to weigh the consequences of voicing views before doing so. At the same time, no one should feel pressured to share political thoughts.

"If you don't feel like participating, bow out gracefully," she said.

Workers also should be tactful in posting views on Facebook, Twitter or other social media that can be seen by colleagues. They also need to be aware of any company policies regarding political speech at work.

"You have to ask yourself, why am I doing this; could this potentially offend any of my co-workers? If the answer is yes, it could, then it's best not to bring it into the workplace," Haglund said.

If you do happen to offend a colleague during a political discussion, apologize immediately, she said.

Of course, just because this election year is shaping up to be one of the most contentious ever, it doesn't mean you have to bring it into the office.