My manager wants our names on a candidate endorsement. How can I decline?
Politics"It's completely optional," my manager said, sliding a draft endorsement across the table. Then she pointed to the space beside my name: "It would look odd if only one of us wasn't on it."
We are a six-person design studio. Her friend is running for local office, and she wants to publish a photo of the team with a statement saying we support him. She has asked us individually, but the draft already lists everyone's full name and job title. I haven't agreed.
I like working here and have no quarrel with her helping a friend. I also haven't decided whom I support, and I don't want my work photograph used to answer that question for me. Two colleagues have signed because they know the candidate; another shrugged and said this wasn't worth an uncomfortable week at the office.
I could say I'm still reading the candidates' proposals, but that invites her to send me more campaign material. What I mean is that I don't want to make a public endorsement through work, even if I eventually like this candidate.
How do I make that distinction clearly without opening a debate about my politics? Should I ask her to remove my name from the draft in the same conversation?
This is a conversation question, not a statement of employment law.