It's no secret 2024 has been an undeniably stressful year for workforces. Organizations everywhere have been feeling the blowback of underutilized benefits strategies and inflated healthcare costs, not to mention rising global and domestic tensions leaving many workers feeling overwhelmed, hyper-anxious, and numb.
Add a heavily divisive election year into the mix, and it's no wonder nearly 75% of employees are currently feeling record high levels of stress over this year's presidential race.
As political polarization and saturated media coverage grow by the day, employees from all backgrounds are coming to work feeling even more stressed, without sufficient support. But even though this heightened election anxiety has no immediate end in sight, organizations can harness the power of holistic wellbeing to combat political uncertainty, give employees control, and provide a much-needed sense of calm.
By implementing strategies to create inclusive work environments, providing stress management resources, and modeling effective leadership, companies can help their workforces navigate the paranoia of election season. Let's take a closer look at the psychology behind election anxiety, how it's been impacting employees, and practical approaches to foster psychological safety during politically charged times.
The Psychology Behind Election Anxiety
Election anxiety has always been a natural side effect of election season, but as the 2024 presidential race looms, individuals are experiencing higher levels of stress than ever before. Without accessible resources and support to mitigate their heightened stress and uncertainty, employees often succumb to reduced job performance, productivity, engagement, and overall wellbeing.
Understanding the psychological factors behind election anxiety can help organizations develop more personalized coping strategies for their employees. By pinpointing the sources of stress in their teams, employers can manager their own emotional responses and put their employees' wellbeing needs first.
Uncertainty and Control
When asked about the biggest source of stress regarding the outcome of this year's election, employees agree that the uncertainty of the presidential race is enough to debilitate them from a mental health perspective.
When faced with a high-stakes unknown, like the outcome of the 2024 election, individuals are hardwired to respond in a way that puts their own survival first, leading to a state of psychological uncertainty that naturally raises stress levels. As 24/7 news coverage and social media continue to play a role as pseudo-coping mechanisms, individuals are unknowingly exacerbating feelings of anxiety and frustration that bleeds into their work lives.
As the anticipation and uncertainty of this year's election continue to increase tensions inside and outside the workplace, employees across party lines are reporting a loss of perceived control, leading to feelings of hopelessness and anxiety about the future.
Identity and Values
Political beliefs form a core part of an individual's identity and values. In today's polarized landscape, political identity often transcends mere opinion and becomes a fundamental aspect of one's self-concept.
When these deeply held beliefs are challenged or threatened during an election, it can trigger intense emotional responses that can majorly disrupt workplace dynamics. The tribalism that stems from the fear of social rejection can also strengthen in the face of a perceived external threat, leading to an "us vs. them" mentality that further heightens anxiety and can severely damage team collaboration.
Fear of the Unknown
The fear of the unknown is a significant contributor to election anxiety. Employees may worry about how the election results will affect their lives and society as a whole—a fear that is only amplified by media coverage and political rhetoric that emphasize potential negative outcomes.
Research shows that the anxiety surrounding uncertainty taps into the same brain circuitry as fear of definite threats. This means that the anticipation of election results can trigger similar physiological responses as facing a real, immediate danger, causing employees to approach even the simplest work tasks with a "fight or flight" mentality.
Is Election Stress Impacting Business?
From an mental and emotional perspective, election anxiety can overrun even the calmest workforces, taking a massive toll on employee wellbeing and productivity.
Despite the profound feelings of uncertainty and constant media coverage consuming employees, organizations have a responsibility to make their workplaces as stress-free as possible—not just to protect employee wellbeing, but also their bottom line.
Focus and Productivity
This year's heightened political climate has the potential to negatively impact job performance. Research shows that there is often a decline in job performance after an election due to employees feeling stressed from the outcome, an emotion which can linger for years without adequate support.
Election season stress can manifest in number of ways for workforces, from physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia, to emotional symptoms like irritability or depression, to cognitive symptoms like reduced concentration or decision-making. As employees find themselves inevitably distracted by constant news updates, social media discussions, and political debates, they have to work harder to focus on work tasks.
Increased Absenteeism
The stress and anxiety surrounding election season can directly increase absenteeism among employees. From requesting more time off to manage personal concerns or participate in political activities to experiencing physical health issues related to election stress, it's common to see employees needing more time off in the weeks leading up to and after election day.
Employers can always anticipate potential absences and adjust deadlines and tasks accordingly to accommodate any disruptions, but it's essential to meet employees halfway with personalized benefits to mitigate ongoing concerns. This flexibility can help maintain normal work productivity while allowing employees to manage their election-related stress.
Interpersonal Tensions
While it's a good rule of thumb to approach political discussions in the workplace with empathy and civility, they can also escalate into conflicts or create tension among employees with differing beliefs.
This polarization can create a divisive work atmosphere that only furthers stress and anxiety. In fact, nearly two-thirds of workers (65%) surveyed by SHRM say they have experienced or witnessed incivility in their workplace within the past month leading up to election day.
As a result, some employees may feel the need to self-censor or "code-switch" to fit into the workplace culture and avoid this incivility. A recent survey found that nearly half of young men and 54% of young women hide their personal and political beliefs at work to dodge interpersonal conflicts and protect their jobs.
To address these worries, it's up to employers to foster inclusive workplace environments where all employees feel valued and respected, regardless of their political views. And while managers play a crucial role in establishing clear guidelines for respectful communication and discouraging divisive or inflammatory political discourse, they also need to pay attention to their own stress while maintaining a peaceful and productive team environment.
Vote for Workplace Wellbeing: 3 Tips for Addressing Election Anxiety
It's important for organizations to recognize that regardless of their team's political affiliations or beliefs, tensions are running high across communities and countries, causing many team members to feel tremendous stress and fear.
By addressing these manifestations of election stress in the workplace, employers can help create a more supportive and productive work environment and mitigate the negative impacts of election anxiety before they appear.
Stress-Reduction Programs
The number one way to tackle election-related stress head-on is by sourcing accredited stress-reduction programs that promote mindfulness and self-care. These resources can empower employees to manage their emotions and find relief from the constant political chatter.
Simple activities like guided meditations, breathing exercises, and stretch breaks can go a long way in reducing stress for employees and helping them stay present. Additionally, employers should ensure that mental health resources are readily available and easily accessible so employees can find professional support when they need it most.
Civic Engagement
While it's important to manage election anxiety, employers can also channel this charged energy into positive civic engagement.
Encouraging employees to take control of their role in the democratic process by providing resources and support for voting can help them channel their energy in a positive way. Consider offering time off for voting or even designating a "Democracy Day" where employees can engage in meaningful civic activities.
Some companies have even partnered with initiatives like Time To Vote, a nonpartisan movement aimed at increasing voter participation. By making it easier for employees to access voting information and exercise their right to vote, employers given them the opportunity to make informed decisions and participate fully in the democratic process.
Unbiased Information
In an era of misinformation and polarized media, employers can play a vital role in providing employees with access to credible, unbiased information.
Partnering with organizations that offer nonpartisan resources about voting procedures, candidate platforms, and election issues can help employees make the most informed decisions. For example, Levi's collaboration with BallotReady provides employees with a one-stop shop for election-related information, segmenting overwhelming news coverage and providing employees with the facts they need.
Leadership also plays a crucial role in modeling appropriate behavior during election season. As a leader, it's important to avoid expressing strong partisan stances that could divide teams or alienate those with opposing viewpoints. Instead, championing civic engagement among employees regardless of political affiliations fosters a culture that is open and supportive of diverse perspectives.
Help Employees Cope During Election Season and Beyond
Addressing election-related stress is not just about managing immediate concerns—it's also about fostering a culture of respect, inclusivity, and psychological safety that will benefit the organization long after the election cycle has passed. By implementing the above strategies, employers have the potential to create a supportive work environment that acknowledges the reality of election anxiety while promoting civic engagement and maintaining workplace harmony.
Struggling to figure out how to approach your employees' election concerns? Reach out to discover how your wellness program can provide the cost-effective, simple solutions needed to ease anxiety and build healthier habits.
