Political chatter is making employees less productive and almost half of workers saw such conversations turn into arguments at the office

  • Since November's election 29 per cent of workers say they are less productive
  • Almost 50 per cent of people witnessed political talks turn into fights at work
  • A staggering 87 per cent of employees are reading about politics while on shift 
  • Nearly a quarter of workers spend two hours a day reading about politics

By Cheyenne Roundtree For Dailymail.com

Published: 21:02 EST, 7 February 2017 | Updated: 21:04 EST, 7 February 2017

The latest water cooler talk in the office is not about last night's game but rather political chatter, and it's making employees less productive and argumentative.

Since November's election politics have become a distraction in the workplace with 29 per cent of employees saying they are less productive and for those who read 10 or more political social posts a day at 35 per cent, a study found.

And workers aren't keeping their viewpoints to themselves. The survey conducted by BetterWorks found 49 per cent of people witnessed political conversations turn into a full-blown argument at work.

Since November's election politics have become a distraction in the workplace with 29 per cent of employees saying they are less productive

Since November's election politics have become a distraction in the workplace with 29 per cent of employees saying they are less productive

Politics have begun to consume every aspect of employee's days at the office, with 87 per cent admitting to reading about politics and 73 per cent have talked to coworkers about affairs of the state recently.

On average people read 14 political posts while on the clock and 21 per cent calculate reading up to 20 a day, which equates to two hours a day of reading.

Millennials are more likely to be engaged in political activities, reading more posts at around 18 briefs a day.

The age group take their beliefs to action with 34 per cent having participated in a rally or march since the election. 

These political conversations at work can often lead to arguments with 49 per cent admitting to seeing them escalate to that level and even more for millennials at 63 per cent 

These political conversations at work can often lead to arguments with 49 per cent admitting to seeing them escalate to that level and even more for millennials at 63 per cent 

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