Right-wing extremism in the workplace: more than PR campaigns needed

It is worrying, but unfortunately no surprise: right-wing extremist ideas do not stop at the factory gate. According to a new study One in three employees indicate that they have noticed right-wing extremist attitudes at work. Nearly 10 percent stated that they themselves had been victims of such hostility.

It should come as no surprise that, despite all the fair-weather rhetoric, right-wing extremism has a place in society. He stalks the schools and football fields of this country and, of course, can also be found in its factories and offices. Companies would do well not to close their eyes to this and take the concerns of their employees seriously.

Employees are also in demand

Anyone who believes that the fight against right-wing extremism in the workplace should only be waged by employers is making it too easy for themselves. If anti-Jewish comments are made in the group chat or if a colleague with a migrant background is excluded, employees have the right to speak out. Civic courage does not have to be approved from above.

But there should also be no obstacles in the way. And here an appeal is made to companies: anyone who takes the fight against right-wing extremism seriously must also take action if there are complaints within their own company. It is also very important to focus on prevention, so that it doesn’t get to that point in the first place. This is especially true when – as in recent weeks – you position yourself against hate and exclusion in the media. The PR campaign is one thing, the daily actions on the work floor are something else.