The 2024 election is quickly approaching. Here’s how experts say employers should deal with political tensions in the workplace

While November may seem quite a ways away, the U.S. general election is quickly approaching, and employers would be remiss to ignore how the tense political climate could impact the workplace.

Politics can create unsettling situations in the office, from workers distraught over election outcomes to disputes between colleagues over political differences. With election cycles starting earlier and earlier, employers are already bracing for the worst. 

In my latest story for Fortune, several corporate executives and workplace experts I spoke with shared advice and best practices for managers dealing with politics in the workplace. Their guidance includes:

—Establishing a uniform approach to address political issues at work

—Coaching leaders on what they should and should not say about politics

—Training managers to handle political tensions between employees, and de-escalate any possible arguments

—Creating policies about social media conduct

Ultimately, how employers address politics within their workforces depends on several factors including legal risks, a company’s relationship with its employees, and how management has responded to political issues in the past. But no matter the company, waiting until election season is in full swing to figure out a game plan is the wrong move. 

“If we’re having this conversation tomorrow, then we’re having the conversation too late. Because we’re already in the middle of the political season,” Jeremy Thompson, a senior vice president at Edelman Global Advisory, a boutique firm focused on government, public affairs, and advisory services, told me. “We should have already been prepared for what’s coming.”

Read the full story here.

Paige McGlauflin
paige.mcglauflin@fortune.com
@paidion

Today’s edition was curated by Emma Burleigh.

Around the Table

A round-up of the most important HR headlines.

With a high demand for employees, and low unemployment rates, Japan’s unions and workers have a strong bargaining chip when it comes to fighting for wage increases. Bloomberg

California’s labor market, on the other hand, is struggling—unemployment rates remain unyieldingly high, job growth continues to lag, and massive layoffs are plaguing its tech industry. New York Times

Atlanta’s mayor is demanding Microsoft bring 15,000 jobs to the city, or get out—pressuring the organization to follow through on partnership that has been at a standstill. Bloomberg

Watercooler

Everything you need to know from Fortune.

Path less traveled. Gen Z is ditching the traditional “soul-sucking” nine-to-five career, disillusioned with burn out, poor time management, and unlivable wages. —Orianna Rosa Royle  

Sore subject. A virtual meeting at media company VICE quickly ended after employees showered the chat with thumbs-down emojis, expressing their displeasure with massive layoffs the week prior. —Chloe Berger  

The skinny. AI is being compared to “corporate Ozempic”—companies don't want to talk about it, but they're using it to replace workers. —Paolo Confino