Workplace politics...toxic and dangerous ( a manager's point of view)

I'm a nurse manager of an eighteen doctor primary care clinic.

Our clerks, receptionists and medical assistants almost all have friends or family members serving in the armed forces, with several in Iraq. Most (but not all) are * supporters. One medical assistant without family or friends serving is resoundingly pro gwb.

I am a military vet, however, I'm virulently opposed to bushco and this illegal military action. I'm absolutely fuming over the Downing St. memo.

Our physicians, (composed of pediatricians, family practitioners and internists) are split about 75% anti gwb to 25% pro gwb. Several are objecting to pro military bulletin boards that have sprung up with pictures, etc. of those who are serving. I understand both points of view.

I keep my politics in check at work, however, I think many of my direct report employees are aware of my feelings about bfee.

I wish I had the freedom to express my opinions in the work place, but it seems that I am running up against a bureaucratic hierarchy.

Are other managers/supervisors/employees dealing with this kind of conundrum in the workplace? Any suggestions? MKJ

Keep your politics and religion at home.

When at work it is strictly business!

poster, ribbon or something equivlant. Or, none whould be able to put up anything. Period. All or nothing.

Has it not crossed their mind that by putting up pro* shit they are losing patients/customers? I do not go to places that have pro* shit up now or during the election.

is in an area that is not visible to patients. It has pictures of service men and women who are serving and are related to staff members in our dept.

It has become a point of contention for some of our physicians (but, by no means all of them).

There is nothing about * at all on the bulletin board. MKJ

edited to add: As a veteran myself, I probably didn't exercise total objectivity toward those whose husbands, sons, daughters and siblings are serving. I see the emotional trauma they experience knowing their loved ones are in harm's way and I haven't realized the impact on other employees.

Thanks for the splash of reality. MKJ

I couldn't agree with those who think that politics should stay out of the workplace. It creates ALOT of problems.

Waiting for the IMPEACHMENT WHILE THE SCANDALS KEEP UNFOLDING
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I identify with the necessity of supporting the servicemen and women who are pawns in the corrupt greed and power grab by gwb and associates.

Add this to managing a work environment with an extremely diverse socio-economic background and it's a recipe for supervisory meltdown. MKJ

btw, when I really want to torture myself, I ask myself, if I was in Nazi Germany, would I have defied the societal norms to call out the Gestapo. I hate to say I'm not sure, being the chickenshit that I am. MKJ