• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis

1

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI

2

Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 

3

Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis

Stop Wearing Your “I’m With Her” Shirt to Work

By
Kristen Bahler
Kristen Bahler
and
Money
Money
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kristen Bahler
Kristen Bahler
and
Money
Money
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 8, 2016, 9:00 AM ET
The 2016 Democratic National Convention
A vendor holds up a campaign shirt for Hillary Clinton, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, for a customer during the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., on Wednesday, July 27, 2016. With the historic nomination for the first woman to run as the presidential candidate of a major U.S. political party, Democrats gathered in Philadelphia hoped they had turned a corner on Tuesday. Photographer: John Taggart/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesJOhn Taggart—Bloomberg via Getty Images

This piece originally appeared on Money.com.

You’re voting for the first female presidential nominee of a major party, and you’re ready to shout it from the rooftops.

Maybe you’ve bought one — or, heck, all — of the 16 “Made for History” designer t-shirts Hillary Clinton rolled out on the campaign trail. Maybe you’ve snagged an “H” button to rep your girl on your backpack. Maybe you’re the scrunchie type. Whatever your fashion predilections, there’s a Hillary accouterment to match.

Now here’s a question: Is it OK to rock your “I’m With Her” merch at the office?

In a word: no. At least that’s what career experts advise.

“We’re going to be through this vote in the next month, but these fleeting moments can have a long-term impact on the workplace,” says Edward Yost, HR business partner at the Society for Human Resource Management. “It’s probably not a good idea.”

For more on the office culture, watch this Fortune video:

This election cycle has bred a highly contentious political climate, and with vitriol driving the conversation, Yost and other etiquette experts strongly advise against showing your political stripes at work. Chances are, your colleagues fall all along the political spectrum. If you think everyone in your “liberal” office shares your beliefs, you’re probably wrong. And if you think your t-shirt is going to sway someone’s opinion, you’re definitely wrong.

“You’re not going to change someone’s mind about who they’re going to vote for, but you could damage a work relationship,” Yost says.

Free Speech & Dress Codes

But wait a sec, you protest — what about free speech?

As it turns out, you don’t actually have that at work. The First Amendment operates only against “state action,” and not “private employer action,” says New York University law professor Cynthia Estlund via email. Private companies have broad power to restrict employee speech and behavior, she explains, which means that in most work-related matters, you’re not protected by the First Amendment.

To remove any ambiguity, many large employers have dress codes prohibiting political slogans, says Yost — and violating those policies puts you at risk of being disciplined or dismissed.

But even if your company doesn’t outright ban political dress, and your workplace has a casual, Silicon Valley-inspired jeans-and-hoodie culture, career and etiquette experts say it’s still a solidly bad idea to sport a Hillary t-shirt — or, for that matter, a “Make America Great Again” baseball cap.

“It’s just going to lead to an uncomfortable office conversation that doesn’t need to happen,” says Diane Gottsman, an etiquette expert and owner of The Protocol School of Texas. “This isn’t about stifling opinions; it’s about being respectful of the people around us.”

Read more from Fortune: Gender Diversity at London Tech Firms Still Has Room for Improvement

Most of us soften our workplace behavior for the sake of common courtesy. We’re nicer on the phone than we need to be; our water cooler small talk is polite and noncontroversial. This is no different.

Forcing people to engage during work hours — whether verbally or mentally — with a taboo topic they’d rather forget doesn’t open up a dialogue. It makes you the office troll.

About the Authors
By Kristen Bahler
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Money
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Careers

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Careers

Financial advisor presents a graph to her client.
Career HubEducation
How to become a financial advisor: 4 steps to a life-long career
By Preston ForeJanuary 2, 2025
1 year ago
Group of business people look at charts and graphs.
Career HubEducation
How to become an actuary: 4 steps to earn six figures
By Preston ForeOctober 21, 2024
2 years ago
Woman analyzes a chart with a laptop next to her.
Career HubEducation
How to become a CPA
By Preston ForeSeptember 27, 2024
2 years ago
Woman explains a concept to a woman sitting next to her.
Career HubEducation
How to become an accountant
By Preston ForeSeptember 20, 2024
2 years ago
Group of varied professionals stand looking toward the camera.
Career HubEducation
These are the nation’s fastest growing jobs—and many pay $100k
By Preston ForeSeptember 13, 2024
2 years ago
Nurse pulls cash out of the front pocket of their scrubs.
Career HubEducation
A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type
By Preston ForeAugust 7, 2024
2 years ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
20 hours ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
10 hours ago
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
Future of Work
Meet the 20-year-old CEO who launched a company in high school to solve Gen Z's entry-level job crisis
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
24 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
5 days ago
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
Future of Work
‘You’re not a hero, you’re a liability’: Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary warns Gen Z founders to stop glorifying hustle culture
By Jacqueline MunisMay 16, 2026
20 hours ago
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
Success
Despite having a $165 million net worth, Scarlett Johansson says work-life balance doesn’t exist—and the first step to success is admitting that
By Preston ForeMay 13, 2026
4 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.