The Day After: How to Survive the Post-Election Workplace

On November 6, most of us will go to work. Here’s how to handle the day.

Reviewed by Margaret Foley

Key points

• The U.S. election is stressful for many Americans, according to an American Psychological Association poll.
• At the workplace, the underlying tension around the election could impact relationships with colleagues.
• Managing your emotions at work about the election means finding other ways to connect on shared common ground.

The U.S. election is going to happen in a few days. Technically, it’s already happening in most places around the country. For some people, it’s all they can think about. For others, it’s all much ado about nothing. But regardless of personal attitudes, most of us go to work every day, where we engage with people holding a variety of political beliefs. For those who highly invested in this election, the results will be emotionally charged. That will possibly leak into the day job. So how do we engage with colleagues in the workplace, after the election? No matter what happens on November 5, here's some advice.

Not everyone is interested in the election. That’s OK.

Before getting into how to engage with people who hold very different political views, remember first that some people don’t care much at all. In my own professional life, I am sometimes surprised by who is really watching this election closely and who is not interested. When it comes to professional relationships, it’s important to remember that even the decision to participate in the election is a deeply personal one. That will be difficult for some people who feel a strong sense of political duty to vote.

Right now, both major parties are pushing their supporters to “get out the vote.” And that makes perfect sense. But in the workplace, it’s important to respect that people choose not to vote for all kinds of reasons. They may choose to keep the peace in their own households by not voting for anyone. They may feel unsafe. They may have very strong political views and feel that no one running is the right choice. The bottom line is that when we have a strong opinion it just feels obvious to us that others ought to have some opinion as well, even if it’s not the same as ours. Instead, try not to assume that everyone feels the same way—or has strong feelings at all.

That said, most people are very stressed about the election. An American Psychological Association poll found that more than 69 percent of American adults are stressed about the election. If you are among the third that isn’t, just be aware that some colleagues might exhibit that stress at work in a variety of ways.

A lot of people are going to wake up disappointed on November 6. It might show at work.

No matter the outcome of the election, a large number of people will be very disappointed. The election features two very different candidates with large numbers of very enthusiastic supporters. But there can be only one winner. My advice for those who are happy with the outcome: Try to be restrained. This is not a football game. It is not a tennis match. Some people will be very distressed, and colleagues will do best if they try to keep the focus on work, or on anything else but the election results. If the candidate you wanted to win is successful, there is no need to be overly upbeat at work. There will be four more years to enjoy the victory. Give the other side a minute.

If you are on the side that was unsuccessful, this might be a day to consider working from home or taking a mental health day. Gauge your ability to check your emotions. While the other party was the winner, individual supporters were not the “cause” of the results. Everyone gets one vote. Try not to personalize your colleagues’ opinions. Everyone makes choices that are different from our own—sometimes for very valid reasons we can all understand, and sometimes for reasons that are not apparent at all. But they have the right to enjoy the results. That said, you have the right to mourn the loss. I would suggest deciding sooner rather than later and just planning to take the day off. Don’t let the day at home turn into a dramatic declaration or protest. Just say, “Hey, probably going to be up late watching the results. Going to take a vacation day on Wednesday.” Or whatever.

If you choose to come to work, connect with others on your shared beliefs, not your differences.

We all have something in common. We have a basic shared humanity. You and your colleagues share even more than that—a common employer. Try to engage with intention, but also with thoughtfulness. Ask your colleagues about their partner or their children. Catch up on the last show you both binge-watched. Talk about work, of course, but try to also connect as people. Consciously or unconsciously, this helps maintain a level of trust and empathy that fuels positive workplace relationships. There will be four years to discuss what happens next week. Give it some time.