General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: So, this happened today at work... [View all]MH1
(17,600 posts)a) you work is politically-related (obviously)
or
b) quick private exchange with a coworker who agrees with you
If somebody starts some political discussion in the break room, I walk away. Bad feelings can spill over into work time and that is not what my boss is paying me for.
All that said, I don't blame the OP for a quick retort, and certainly he shouldn't have been physically attacked, and the aggressor should have been marched out of the building, terminated on the spot, as it sounds like there were plenty of witnesses.
But stuff like this is why I have my rule. Oh and when I've had direct reports, I make them aware of my rule. As a suggestion (it wouldn't override other aspects of job performance unless egregious), but I would remind them if I knew they broke it. No one ever did, to my knowledge.