As Election Day arrives, newly published data from the American Psychological Association confirms that this 2024 election cycle has already taken a heavy toll on the mental health of people across the United States. Survey results paint a stark picture: 69% of adults name the election as a major ongoing source of stress in their lives. Beyond that, 72% of respondents report worrying the election’s outcome could spark widespread violence, 56% fear the 2024 presidential race could mark the end of U.S. democracy as they know it, and 32% say today’s polarized political climate has created new tension between themselves and their own family members.
As a clinical psychologist and executive director of the Momentous Institute, a nonprofit with more than 100 years of experience delivering accessible mental health services, I have seen firsthand just how overstretched and burnt out today’s workforce already is — even before adding the weight of election-related anxiety. Organizational leaders and managers hold unique power in this moment: they can either help ease this widespread stress, or inadvertently make it far heavier for their teams.
Recently, my team of psychologists, educators, and innovation specialists released our Election Guide for Leaders, which outlines practical, actionable tips for building a supportive work environment during this tense election season. Below are four of the most impactful steps leaders can take right now:
Set clear boundaries
First, workplace leaders should establish clear, explicit ground rules for political discussions on the job. If employees choose to engage in partisan political conversations, they should be encouraged to do so only in a respectful, inclusive manner that honors all differing viewpoints. This period is also an ideal time to revisit existing workplace policies to confirm that expectations around non-discrimination, harassment, dress code, and employee social media use are clearly communicated to every team member.
Key questions — such as “Do political stickers or candidate-branded T-shirts violate our company’s dress code policy?” and “What guidelines do we have around employees sharing political beliefs online?” — should be worked through internally first, then final decisions should be stated explicitly to the whole team to avoid miscommunication.
Create space for checking in
It is critical to carve out time for mental health check-ins whenever it is possible and appropriate to do so. Whether you connect through team emails, all-staff meetings, or one-on-one conversations, modern leadership requires connecting with team members on a genuine human level. During periods of heightened stress, leaders should lead with empathy and never hesitate to ask their team members directly how they are feeling. An important reminder: leaders do not need to solve every person’s stress to be helpful. Often, all that is needed is a willing, empathetic listening ear.
Diffuse arguments
Political disagreements are nearly inevitable during a high-stakes election cycle, so it is critical to plan ahead for how you will diffuse tension if an argument arises. Anticipating these scenarios ahead of time allows leaders to prepare more effective conflict resolution strategies, so they can act quickly and calmly when conflict emerges — an experience every leader will face at some point in their career.
Set clear boundaries
