In an ever-changing world, where headlines are dominated by elections, conflicts, and diplomatic tensions, employees may want to understand these issues more and gain insight. They may feel unprepared to navigate the current and concerted impact of these issues in their professional and personal lives, especially when dissonance in perspectives and cultural identities are encountered.
The university aims to promote a positive and resilient campus community by fostering civil discourse, encouraging empathy, and empowering individuals to take meaningful action in the face of uncertainty through:
- Education and Awareness
- Support and Resources
Case Western Reserve students, faculty, and staff are invited to explore the following Civil and Political Engagement Resource Hub, complete with learning and development opportunities to help positively impact our shared workplace experience and beyond.
DID YOU KNOW?
"Globally, more voters than ever in history will head to the polls as at least 64 countries (plus the European Union)—representing a combined population of about 49% of the people in the world—are meant to hold national elections, the results of which, for many, will prove consequential for years to come."
- TIME USA
Education and Awareness
Programming and materials on civil and political expression. Opportunities to learn and take action. Also find policies and guidelines provided by the university.
CWRU events, special programming, etc.
- Jewish Identity (date TBD)
- Islamophobia (date TBD)
- Religious Pluralism (date TBD)
- Building Bridges Across a Divided America (dates TBD, offered twice)
- CWRU HR Professional Development Center (PDC) Series:
- Conflict Management 101: Understanding & Response (date TBD)
- Conflict Management 201: Navigating Conflict in the Workplace (date TBD)
- Managing Difficult Conversations in the Workplace (date TBD)
Watch & Listen
Highly Recommended:
- Difficult Conversations About Politics at Work
LinkedIn (Audio, 24m 2s) | Challenging political discussions can impact team cohesion within an organization. In this audio-only course, negotiation and conflict resolution expert Kwame Christian shares steps you can take to structure and navigate political conversations in the workplace.
- Freedom of Expression and Political Activity at CWRU
CWRU Compliance Office (Video, 20m) | View the 2024 CWRU compliance training video that share vital guidance for all employees.
- Discussing Politics at Work and the Importance of Civility Podcast
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Honest HR Podcast (Audio, 54m) | In the midst of an election year, political tensions are running high everywhere, and the workplace is no exception. A discussion of SHRM’s latest research on the topic of workplace civility as it pertains to political conversations at work.
Additional On-demand Trainings:
- Skills for Inclusive Conversations (Video, 53m ): LinkedIn Learning
- Cultural Humility: A Framework to Mitigate Personal Bias (60m) LinkedIn Learning
More to come soon!
Read & Explore
- We Can't Talk about That at Work!: How to Talk about Race, Religion, Politics, and Other Polarizing Topics by Mary-Frances Winters
- The Daily (various articles on "politics"): Explore current and archived articles with this "politics" search link on The Daily website.
More to come soon!
Support and Resources
Experiences, trainings and materials to foster professional and personal well-being. Find support for coping with anxiety, conflict, stress and uncertainty.
CWRU and IMPACT Solutions training workshops, etc.
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Beyond Fear - Many times we are paralyzed by our own real or imagined fears. There may be wonderful ideas, skills, or talents lying dormant because we are afraid. It's time to make peace with our internal boogieman to become who we are meant to be. Part of learning and growth is unlearning those things that keep us from our best selves. (Impact Solutions, date tbd)
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Respect at Work - This session will give an overview of respect at work and talk about ways to earn and maintain respect. Tips will also be given to be respectful in all types of communication. We will also discuss barriers to respect. (Impact Solutions, date tbd)
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Stress Management: Arm Yourself with the Right Tools - In this session learn about tips and short- and long-term strategies to manage everyday stress. Components covered will be recognizing stress symptoms and responses, types of stress and causes, practical advice for managing stress, boundary setting, and self-care and tackling stress management in the workplace. (Impact Solutions, date tbd)
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We’re All in This Together: Creating a Self and Socially Aware Workplace - Embracing differences and finding balance has always been a challenge, but now more than ever, we not only need to work together, but we need to learn how to help one another and the workplace thrive. Define social and self-awareness. Identify their importance and impact on the workplace. Assess your social and self-awareness skills and how they influence you and others. Identify obstacles and barriers to achieving a balanced, aware work environment. Learn communication that supports and encourages inclusion, connection, and diverse perspectives. (Impact Solutions, date tbd)
Watch
Highly Recommended:
- The Stress and Addiction of News Consumptions (48m) All One Health: People have been bombarded, over many months, with on-the-spot news accounts of difficult events – this has had a more impactful influence on many of us than we may realize. This training will discuss prudent ways to digest news, and ways to subdue the long-term effects.
- Self De-Escalation Strategies for Difficult Encounters (Individual and Collective Anxiety) (30m) All One Health: Explore strategies to manage anxiety through difficult moments and interactions.
Stress Management / Stress at Work:
- Managing Stress for Positive Change (53m) LinkedIn Learning
- Managing Your Emotional Response to Workplace Stress (40m 41s) LinkedIn Learning
- Managing Your Emotions at Work (50m) LinkedIn Learning
- Managing Your Post-pandemic, Anxiety-Triggered Brain (38m 46s) LinkedIn Learning
- Reduce Stress and Anxiety by Managing Your Nervous System (36m 12s) LinkedIn Learning
- Reduce Tension with Breathwork (33m) LinkedIn Learning
Workplace Culture & Management:
- Creating a Respectful Workplace (44m) All One Health
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Aligning Strategic Initiatives (50m) All One Health
- Conflict Resolution: How to Get to the Other Side - 4/26/2023
- Can’t We All Just Get Along? Strengthening the Workplace Through Conflict – 3/1/2022
- Communication Etiquette: Creating a Culture of Respect - 11/30/2021
More coming soon!
Read & Explore
Coming soon!
Need Support Now? IMPACT Solutions, the university's Employee Assistance and Work/Life Program, provides free, confidential counseling and referrals to benefits-eligible faculty and staff, as well as their family members and household members 24/7/365.
For questions related to listed resources, please contact the sponsoring department or provider (e.g., Impact Solutions) directly.
Does your department have a resource that they would like to share? Complete the Resource Consideration Submission form.
Coming Soon!