Edelman data shows workplace trust strained by political divides

American workers are showing sharper discomfort with political difference at work, according to data presented by Edelman CEO Richard Edelman. The findings matter for employers because Edelman’s research says people continue to place more trust in their workplace than in other institutions.

Edelman, who leads the global communications firm that bears his name, discussed the data at the company’s annual Trust Summit in New York, Fortune reported. The firm’s latest readout found that 42% of workers would rather move to another department than report to a manager who votes differently from them.

The research also found that most Americans now rely on news outlets that reflect their existing views, according to Fortune. That pattern adds to a broader picture of people sorting themselves into narrower social and political groups, including inside the workplace.

Common ground at work

Fortune’s CEO Daily newsletter said one takeaway for executives is to involve employees more directly in discussions about artificial intelligence. The report argued that many CEOs emphasize training workers on AI, while fewer invite employees into broader conversations about how the technology could change work.

The newsletter framed listening as more useful than trying to change employees’ political views. It pointed to sports, including the FIFA World Cup and recent NBA finals, as examples of shared experiences that can bring people together across divides.

Fortune also described an earlier interview in which a conservative fast-food CEO and a liberal migrant-labor organizer found common ground through faith and how it shaped their leadership. The point, according to the newsletter, was that shared values can create room for conversation among people who disagree on politics.

Managers and transparency

Fortune said companies should identify “honest brokers” inside their organizations, including trusted middle managers and community-minded groups. The newsletter described middle managers as social connectors who can help carry clear information and model respect across teams.

The report also cited community responses to ICE raids in Minnesota as an example of local relationships cutting across political identity. Fortune characterized the response as citizens standing up for neighbors, colleagues and friends.

Transparency was another theme in the newsletter’s analysis. Edelman’s global survey found that 70% of respondents believe CEOs are not being honest about job cuts, according to Fortune.

That finding creates a challenge for business leaders because the workplace remains a major channel for information, Fortune reported. The newsletter also noted that pay transparency can expose the widening gap between executive and worker compensation, creating questions some companies may struggle to answer.

Local pressures on global companies

Edelman’s research also pointed to rising preference for domestic brands in developed markets. More than two-thirds of people in those markets said they prefer to buy brands made in their own country, up five percentage points since 2023, according to Fortune.

Fortune said the shift comes as several countries emphasize nationalism in manufacturing, consumption, exports and immigration. For companies operating across borders, the newsletter said the pressure is toward more decentralized structures and a stronger local presence in each market.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.