A new report found that Gen Zers and millennials are more easily distracted by politics at their jobs than their older coworkers.
A recently released Brightmine survey revealed that those generations were nearly four times more likely than baby boomers to say the political environment over the last year distracted them from their jobs.
Why It Matters
Higher levels of distraction due to politics call into question productivity and shift norms within the workplace.
What To Know
Roughly 29 percent and 28 percent of Gen Z and millennials, respectively, said politics distracted them from their jobs over the past year, according to Brightmine. That was significantly higher than the just 7 percent of boomers who said the same.
“They’re (millennials and Gen Z) living in a political environment that directly affects their rent, their rights, their safety, and their future. Older generations could afford to tune things out; younger workers don’t have that luxury,” HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek.
“When your student loans, your job security, your bodily autonomy, and even your ability to vote are on the line, of course it bleeds into your workday. That’s reality.”
Altogether, 27 percent of employees reported political distractions at work, up from 19 percent in 2024.
The study also found 64 percent of employees experienced or witnessed political disagreements, with 11 percent noting escalation and 8 percent reporting hostility.
Despite these increased concerns, only 47 percent of employers have no formal policy governing politics in the workplace, despite growing tension.
“Much of the political discourse has a direct impact on their lives,” Kevin Thompson, the CEO of 9i Capital Group and the host of the 9innings podcast, told Newsweek of Gen Z and millennials. “From student loan repayment to affordability, politics is at the forefront of their lives and directly affects not only where they live but how much they make.”
What People Are Saying
Amanda Czepiel, U.S. country manager and head of content at Brightmine, said in a statement: “Navigating politics in the workplace has become a multifaceted challenge. As political tension rises, organizations are being tested on how well they understand and support their people. The solution will look different for every organization, but one thing is clear: leaders should implement clear, enforceable guardrails governing politics in the workplace that are rooted in organizational values, reflective of what matters most to their employees and aligned with the law. Otherwise, there’s an enormous risk to culture atrophy and business performance.”
HR consultant Bryan Driscoll told Newsweek: “The bigger risk isn’t that younger workers are paying attention. It’s that employers keep pretending politics happens in some separate universe. It doesn’t. Workers bring their whole lives to work, and if the world feels unstable, productivity and mental health suffer.”
9i Capital Group CEO Kevin Thompson told Newsweek: “There are two things people always say you should avoid discussing: politics and religion. Both can be emotionally charged and create friction at work and at home. It becomes even more acute in social settings, where many choose to stay in ‘safe’ environments surrounded by like-minded people. That has real consequences. These choices shape future relationships, and social media has only accelerated this as people make snap judgments about friends and colleagues based solely on what they post online.”
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “Because Gen Z and millennials were the first generations to grow up with an always-on virtual life via smartphones and other devices, the lines between personal and professional lives for many are constantly blurred. Political discussions and perceptions formed via social media and text can easily spill over into the workplace, even if those discussions can prove to cause more tension among co-workers. There’s nothing wrong with being connected to the latest political news while at work, as long as you can separate the feelings you have for those issues with your working world.”
What Happens Next
Driscoll said this data should serve as a wake-up call for businesses.
“If you want people to show up fully, you need to build workplaces that acknowledge the moment we’re in, not punish people for reacting to it,” Driscoll said.