In the current global landscape, tensions between Israel and Hamas have extended beyond political discourse, finding their way into our workspaces. Conversations on Teams, Slack, and even casual pre-meeting chats often resonate with these sentiments.
While being informed and empathetic is crucial, the intersection of personal feelings with professional settings can make the workplace challenging for many.
Silence and “self-censorship” are options, but not the only ones. People have the right to learn, communicate, and mourn. But the potency of a message can be undermined when it comes from a place of aggression rather than empathy. It’s also worth remembering that many see work as a refuge from distressing global events, so sharing emotionally charged content could heighten their stress.
If you’re deeply connected to the Israel-Hamas situation and wish to address it at work, the following guidelines can ensure a sensitive and informed approach:
- Accept Your Feelings: Recognize that it’s natural to experience a gamut of emotions. Engage in reflective “deep work” privately before sharing your feelings publicly. Often, personal reflection can be cathartic enough.
- Seek Support: A heart-to-heart with close friends or family can offer more solace than sharing a moving Instagram post with a workmate. Consider professional counseling or leverage employee resource groups for structured, beneficial discussions if emotions become overwhelming.
- Pause Before Posting: Reflect on your understanding of the subject. Does your viewpoint have a factual foundation? Ask, “Would a mentor or someone I deeply respect appreciate my input?”
- Fact-check: Validating claims so important in an age of disinformation and deepfakes. Platforms like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and PolitiFact are indispensable for this.
- Limit Social Media Time: Setting specific time slots for browsing social media can mitigate impulsive shares. There are lots of tools designed to assist in this practice.
- Draft First: Before spontaneously reacting, jot down your thoughts. Give it a moment—sometimes an hour or a day—then revisit. This strategy can also be employed when confronted with unsettling conversations. Document your reflections, process them, and only then engage for clarity.
- Educate Yourself: The intricacies of historical conflicts can’t be unraveled instantly. Exploring texts like the Tanakh or the Qur’an can illuminate more profound truths. Learning is the only way to ensure we evolve and communicate effectively.
- Reflect on the Impact: The digital realm has a long memory. Words, once posted, can have lingering consequences on perceptions and even professional prospects. Don’t get fired from your next job for something you posted today.
- Accountability: Before voicing an opinion, solicit feedback from a trusted colleague. Emphasize your intent to maintain harmony. Preemptive measures like that can aid in maintaining professional relationships you’ll need today, tomorrow, and for the length of your career.
- Hold Onto Hope: Kindness, compassion, and resilience exist even in adversity. Embrace hope as a guiding light in turbulent times.
While the workplace is a melting pot of diverse opinions and emotions, it’s essential to tread with empathy and understanding. While the current Gaza-Isreal conflict can feel overwhelming, let’s do our best to offer support rather than increasing distress. It’s the least we can do for others, showing that work can remain a radically human space even when the world struggles.