Ask Amy: Client worries about contractor's bumper sticker

DEAR AMY: We would like your insight into a moral dilemma that we recently faced. We are a progressive, Democratic household.

Being in need of the services of a contractor, we called to obtain advice and to get an estimate from a contractor that we have been doing business with for years (he is locally regarded as the best and most knowledgeable in his field).

When he arrived for his consultation the other day, we noticed that his work truck had a bumper sticker in support of the current president.

We did not say anything, but were disappointed to learn of his political affiliation. We spent the next few days trying to decide if we should use the contractor’s services or take our business elsewhere (there are few, if any, alternatives in the area).

We ultimately decided to use his services, but we held our nose while signing the contract.

Is it wrong to apply a political litmus test? We thoroughly support an individual’s right to follow their political heart, but shouldn’t a business owner be apolitical in the work environment?

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In discussing this issue with friends, we received advice ranging from, “You are hiring him for his expertise, not his political leanings” to, “I wouldn’t let him on my property.” Your thoughts?

— Caught in the Middle

Dear Caught: You say that you support an individual’s right to follow their political heart, but that a contractor shouldn’t have a political bumper sticker on his truck. I wonder, however, if you would have had a problem if the bumper sticker reflected support for a president you also support.

If you choose to apply a political litmus test for businesses you frequent and financially support, then you should make sure that the plumber, the dry cleaner, and the dentist all adhere to your standard. And while you’re at it, you could canvass your kids’ teachers and the person who owns the corner store for their political views.

You demand that your contractor be apolitical in the business environment, but would you apply that same standard to yourself? Shouldn’t you also be apolitical in a business context?

I agree that business owners could avoid being judged by their customers if they chose to keep their politics private. Your contractor’s bumper sticker was announcing a willingness to communicate his political leaning (or maybe he was borrowing someone else’s truck). You could have discussed this with him (if you were able to do so respectfully). I believe that’s the truly progressive thing to do.