Can I stop my co-worker from talking about politics?

We are back in the office and a colleague in the same general workspace talks loudly on the phone about his political views. I find it offensive. Is there anything that I can do?

Is it the fact that he is discussing politics that’s offensive to you, or is it his particular views? Politics shouldn’t be discussed openly in a work environment. The nation is like a giant arena fight club over politics, but at least you can choose to change the channel or not visit those platforms — at work you are captive. This is a matter for your boss to handle, not you directly. Tell your boss that even though your colleague is not discussing politics directly with anyone at work, he isn’t keeping his private conversations private, and it needs to stop.

While I miss your old picture, I look forward to your column. Recently you wrote about interview questions, saying personal questions are ill advised but not “illegal”. My understanding is that in NYC it is actually illegal to ask someone’s salary. How can that be constitutional? And how can an employer know if someone is in their compensation range if they don’t ask?

Do you mean the picture that made me look “old” or the previous picture that I assume you think is more flattering than the current one? Not that I’m vain, or this is about me or anything. You are correct, my flattering friend. There are some questions that are inappropriate but not illegal and some questions that consist of a violation. In New York, a salary history ban law prohibits all employers from asking prospective or current employees about their salary history and compensation. It also prohibits businesses from seeking similar information from other sources. And with the new Pay Transparency Act that just went into effect, employers have to post salary ranges. The assumption is that applicants won’t apply if the compensation isn’t in their range, but that is not the primary purpose of the law. It was designed to close the pay gap between men and women. So, you can’t ask, but you have to tell, and you can ask if that range is within their expectations. Now, about my photo…

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Weds. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. E-mail: [email protected]. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrand

source: nypost.com