Politically hostile work environment, or over-sensitivity?

Well lookey-there. I learned something new today. I would not have thought to check Yelp to gauge the quality of trucking services.

No, they have gotten a bit worse.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Wait a minute. Is it owners putting these on or employees??

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.

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.

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?

I assume truck drivers are doing this, while management ignores it.

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.

I think we can all agree that would be unacceptable.

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?

So, let’s say you got a solid wall of “Hells Yeah!” In response. Then what?

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.

Perhaps your inquiries weren’t as discreet as you think.

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