I got a written warning for saying this at work?

[Fox12]

Absolutely avoid talking politics at work, even if they effect you personally.

This, and I'd chuck religion in too.
I've found that even genuinely asking people there political or religious views can make them defensive from the get-go.

That being said, I don't think you said anything deserving of a written warning.

No talking politics, religion, or sex where you work, unless you're a politician, a priest, or a prostitute. Good rule of thumb. Especially if you work in customer service, like me.

Admittedly this can be hard, especially when a racist customer goes on a rant, and actually expects you to agree.

 

[COMaestro]

Huh, not discussing politics at the workplace? Is that an American thing? I'm not trying to be a dick, I'm genuinely curious. Now granted, I've only ever held temp jobs, a month at most, but I think I've ended up discussing politics and/or religion at all of them. It's never been an issue. Now granted, I don't hold any extreme political opinions, but I did end up disagreeing with co-workers on various matters. Never ended up causing any kind of kerfuffle though. But then, I've heard people say that you shouldn't talk about politics with friends and family either, so who the fuck are you supposed to talk about politics with?

If this is the situation, I find it rather depressing, and a loss for society as a whole. Public discourse should take place in people's daily lives and not just in the media. It's an important part of how people inform themselves, challenge their views, and finally reach opinions. If all of that gets banned...well it's no wonder politics in the USA have become this polarized. You tend to think of people with differing political views in a very negative light, until you actually talk to them and realize that they might be decent folks who reached different conclusions or have different priorities.

I've never heard the idea that one shouldn't talk about politics with friends and family. That's just bizarre. As for not talking about politics or religion in the workplace though, my thoughts are below.

I don't...how is ISIS even a political issue? It would be like saying "Oh can't say anything bad about Hitler or Nazis, we don't want to offend them!" If what you say is true then its ridiculous...side note, why are people so obsessed with "no politics" in the workplace? I haven't worked anywhere like that...As long as your respectful of other people's opinions their was never an issue for me, then again I've never worked anywhere super professional, but how does that make sense, if you are a professional adult working with other professional adults, you should be able to discuss politics without offending anyone correct?

The issue is too many people are NOT respectful of other people's opinions, or at least are perceived as not being so. We live in a screwed up society where everyone's opinion matters, supposedly equally, no matter what that opinion is. Any disagreement between co-workers can cause a hostile work environment that is uncomfortable for everyone, so if you start saying bad things about Nazis just to find out the guy two cubicles over happens to BE a neo-Nazi and takes offense to your statements...well who is in the right in this situation? Same thing for someone who is Muslim working with someone who mistakenly believes all Muslims are terrorists. Both people will have opinions on the matter but they are in direct opposition with each other and will not be easily resolved.

Thus, to avoid trouble, no discussion of politics or religion in the workplace is the standard policy for most businesses.

 

[Breakdown]

One time I got a formal warning at work for leaving a message on a spreadsheet saying "I pity the fool".

 

[FalloutJack]

That's weird. The patriotic stereotype should be overriding the PC stereotype. That is, why would anyone disapprove of calling a terrorist group out for making a lofty claim about a government...that it isn't even involved with, about a topic which it is guilty? In short, your boss is a hypocritical ass. Sorry you have to put up with it.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

One of a few things is happening here, in decreasing order of likelihood:

1. The OP is editorializing, and omitting key details and context from this anecdote. Either because it casts them in a bad light, or because they're suffering from standard self-bias and are simply unaware of why said details might matter.

2. The OP's comment was more or less as described, but the office has a zero-tolerance attitude towards politically or religiously charged commentary.

3. Someone, including possibly the manager, doesn't like the OP and is looking for opportunities to start building a case for their dismissal.

4. A thin skinned individual overheard the comment and was outraged, and relayed it to the manager, who was also outraged.