How to communicate with respect internally at Digital Science
Respect differences
Acknowledge that colleagues may have different perspectives, experiences, and personal stakes in political and social outcomes.
Avoid making assumptions about other people’s views or lived experiences.
Consider the impact, not just intent
Words have power—before posting, ask yourself: How might this message be received? How could different people interpret this message differently?
Avoid language that could unintentionally alienate, dismiss, or marginalize colleagues. If you’re not sure, take a moment to reflect or choose to step back.
Uphold dignity and psychological safety
Speak in a way that ensures all colleagues feel safe, valued, seen, and included.
If a discussion becomes heated, pause and reflect before responding.
Stay constructive and professional
While Digital Science, like any other workplace, is not a space intended for political debate, we recognize that these conversations happen organically particularly in non-work related chat, given political outcomes impact on the lives of working people.
Discussions that have a link to politics should be approached with curiosity and respect, not hostility or personal attacks.
If a conversation or debate turns unproductive, consider taking the conversation offline or to a more appropriate setting.
Use internal communication channels responsibly
Company platforms (e.g., Slack, email) should foster collaboration and inclusion, not division.
If discussing political topics, be mindful of the channel’s purpose and the professional context.
Please note that our DS Social Media policy is currently being updated.
Listen with empathy
If someone shares a personal experience of political events, listen actively rather than debating their perspective.
Consider how your colleague’s identities, cultural upbringings, and circumstances might shape their perspective. We work across multiple countries and cultures, and people may have different styles of communicating and expressing their opinions.
Consider the language you use to respond to these stories, and take steps to uphold their dignity and recognize the vulnerability of sharing these opinions.
Know when to step back
If a conversation is becoming unproductive or harmful, disengage or redirect the discussion.
Encourage colleagues to take a break from discussions that cause distress.
Participating in sensitive and emotionally charged conversations is voluntary, and you should feel safe to opt out of the discussion without fear of judgement.
Report harmful behaviour
If you witness or experience communication that violates dignity, respect and inclusion, report it through the appropriate channels.
If you would like to report something, please speak to your line manager or get in touch with the People Team for guidance.
Note: For more information about email and messaging best practices as well as guidelines for personal use and monitoring of our systems refer to the DS IT systems, security and devices user policy.
Can’t find what you are looking for? Contact Leena Patel at [email protected].