# Politically hostile work environment, or over-sensitivity? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 7, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125 "2019-02-07T16:05:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/41 "2019-02-07T17:52:27Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > :rolleyes: > > [https://www.yelp.com/biz/all-american-trucking-and-transport-inc-burlingame](https://www.yelp.com/biz/all-american-trucking-and-transport-inc-burlingame) > > [https://www.yelp.com/biz/patriot-auto-transport-los-angeles-2](https://www.yelp.com/biz/patriot-auto-transport-los-angeles-2) > > [https://www.yelp.com/biz/all-freight-trucking-riverside](https://www.yelp.com/biz/all-freight-trucking-riverside) > > [https://www.yelp.com/biz/nationwide-united-auto-transport-los-angeles](https://www.yelp.com/biz/nationwide-united-auto-transport-los-angeles) Well lookey-there. I learned something new today. I would not have thought to check Yelp to gauge the quality of trucking services. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/42 "2019-02-07T17:55:06Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I seem to recall that you started a thread some time ago about your work being a political quagmire? Sorry that things haven’t improved for you. No, they have gotten a bit worse. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/43 "2019-02-07T17:55:51Z")
Democrat here, but I say…deal with it and be the better person. Their trucks, their message. Seriously, who gives a shit about bumper stickers? Its not like you’re changing hearts and minds with this. I don’t think it’s smart business on their part, but it is what it is. As long as no one is berating you personally, it’s business as usual. But if they start giving _you_ grief about your own beliefs, then its a hostile environment and time to get a lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/44 "2019-02-07T17:57:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > That’s right! Because the owner will proudly go bankrupt because he has a right to be an ass to over half the country and will make _zero_ changes to his behavior, even if faced with financial ruin. Why, he can be the next Kim Davis! AMERICA! It is gospel at this board that Trump supporters will engage in the most self-destructive and irrational behaviors because racism/sexism/bigotry/etc. So, it would appear that despite your sarcasm, you are either right or The Board is wrong. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/45 "2019-02-07T17:59:15Z")
You’d think management would see the bad implications of letting stuff like this go. Allowing employees to adorn company vehicles with their own provocative, political opinions helps the company how? Hopefully MAGA Bomber 2.0 doesn’t work there. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/46 "2019-02-07T17:59:20Z")
What do you think the real world impact of these messages will be in Oregon? The urban areas of Oregon determine the political direction of the state. Can you envision the leadership in the state ever going Republican? I can’t. How about the state electoral college votes going to the GOP candidate? Not in our lifetimes. I think you are being a tad too sensitive. I also think that your co-workers probably understand your personal politics better than you think and it is possible that someone is just yanking your chain for laughs. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/47 "2019-02-07T18:01:09Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > It is gospel at this board that Trump supporters will engage in the most self-destructive and irrational behaviors because racism/sexism/bigotry/etc. So, it would appear that despite your sarcasm, you are either right or The Board is wrong. Got it-You see no problem here because it doesn’t conflict with your own beliefs, whereas I would see it as a problem even if the harassment was towards those I disagreed with politically. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/48 "2019-02-07T18:04:16Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > I think you are being a tad too sensitive. I also think that your co-workers probably understand your personal politics better than you think and it is possible that someone is just yanking your chain for laughs. Why would you think that? I do not discuss politics at work at all. Do you actually think this whole campaign of putting those two phrases on the backs of the trailers for a period of months now was done to yank the chain of one employee? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/49 "2019-02-07T18:07:45Z")
It looks like a tough situation, and I feel for you. However, it seems like the real issue is that the company’s owners are happy to spread this message. Unless you feel secure and comfortable enough to go toe-to-toe with them, I can’t think of any way of approaching this that leaves you on top in the end. I’m more worried that your expression of your objection to these views in this environment would put you in jeopardy of some kind, whether financial or otherwise. It sucks to work for assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/50 "2019-02-07T18:08:57Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > You’d think management would see the bad implications of letting stuff like this go. Allowing employees to adorn company vehicles with their own provocative, political opinions helps the company how? > > Hopefully MAGA Bomber 2.0 doesn’t work there. Wait a minute. Is it owners putting these on or employees?? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/51 "2019-02-07T18:09:36Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Got it-You see no problem here because it doesn’t conflict with your own beliefs, whereas I would see it as a problem even if the harassment was towards those I disagreed with politically. I’m not a Trump supporter. Didn’t vote for him. Haven’t liked him since I first heard of him in the 80s. Who, exactly, is being harrassed? You haven’t answered that yet. Is it you? Maybe you could get your job description changed to include brooming any and all dirt scribbles off the backs of the trucks. Offer to take a pay cut, if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/52 "2019-02-07T18:10:40Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > It looks like a tough situation, and I feel for you. However, it seems like the real issue is that the company’s owners are happy to spread this message. Unless you feel secure and comfortable enough to go toe-to-toe with them, I can’t think of any way of approaching this that leaves you on top in the end. > > I’m more worried that your expression of your objection to these views in this environment would put you in jeopardy of some kind, whether financial or otherwise. > > It sucks to work for assholes. I am not stupid enough to make any objections-I can’t afford to lose this job. I was just wondering if people would agree with me that this was indeed a hostile work environment, my ability to change it notwithstanding. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/53 "2019-02-07T18:13:59Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Got it-You see no problem here because it doesn’t conflict with your own beliefs, whereas I would see it as a problem even if the harassment was towards those I disagreed with politically. Serious question for you: Do you feel “harassed” if your neighbor puts up a political yard sign? What about if a co-worker wears a MAGA hat? ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/54 "2019-02-07T18:14:57Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Wait a minute. Is it owners putting these on or employees?? I assume truck drivers are doing this, while management ignores it. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/55 "2019-02-07T18:20:23Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I am not stupid enough to make any objections-I can’t afford to lose this job. I was just wondering if people would agree with me that this was indeed a hostile work environment, my ability to change it notwithstanding. Hostile Work Environment is a term of art that has a defined meaning. So, technically, no. Maybe Oregon includes political viewpoints. I don’t know. > [@](#): > > A hostile work environment is a workplace in which unwelcome comments or conduct based on gender, race, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, or other legally protected characteristics unreasonably interfere with an employee’s work performance or create an intimidating or offensive work environment for the employee who is being harassed ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/56 "2019-02-07T18:21:37Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > What about if a co-worker wears a MAGA hat? I think we can all agree that would be unacceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/57 "2019-02-07T18:21:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Serious question for you: Do you feel “harassed” if your neighbor puts up a political yard sign? What about if a co-workers wears a MAGA hat? I am talking about a constant visual harassment seen over 200 times a day, coupled with constant political comments from the drivers that I cannot respond to. No, I would not feel harassed if a neighbor put up a political sign or if a co-worker wore a MAGA hat-are you seriously trying to compare what I have described in this thread with those two innocuous and trivial examples? ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/58 "2019-02-07T18:24:16Z")
So, let’s say you got a solid wall of “Hells Yeah!” In response. Then what? ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/59 "2019-02-07T18:25:38Z")
There’s likely nothing actionable there, since Oregon does not appear to list political affiliation as a protected status. Even if it was actionable, it’s not specifically directed at you. This is a “suck it up buttercup” situation. I’m not sure I’d say it’s hostile, if it isn’t directed at you, but it does suggest that you work with a fair number of disagreeable people. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125/60 "2019-02-07T18:26:17Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Why would you think that? I do not discuss politics at work at all. Perhaps your inquiries weren’t as discreet as you think. > [@](#): > > Do you actually think this whole campaign of putting those two phrases on the backs of the trailers for a period of months now was done to yank the chain of one employee? It’s possible that, given that you are as concerned about things written in the dirt on a truck as you seem to be, that your political opinions are more a matter of public knowledge than you think. So maybe somebody is yanking your chain. Or not - it’s hard to say. Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-hostile-work-environment-or-over-sensitivity/829125.md?page=4)