A job expert has warned Aussies to never talk about politics or religion at work because it could cost them a promotion.

Tammie Christofis Ballis, 37, a career coach at Realistic Careers, suggested workers avoid the potentially explosive topics if they’re focused on career progression at their company.

Ms Christofis Ballis told Daily Mail Australia she noticed an uptick in political conversations in the workplace – and even in job interviews.

‘Every time there is a US election it has divided people,’ she said.

‘And when a worker is not on the same side as the person talking about it, they get vilified. So it can cost you job opportunities, it could cost you promotions.’

The career coach said even when an employee declines to openly choose a political side, they can also antagonise their colleagues.

‘A personal friend of mine who worked at big company years ago said everyone was talking about wanting Hillary Clinton to get in,’ Ms Christofis Ballis said.

‘But my friend didn’t say anything because, like me, she knows not to talk about politics at work.

‘And because she never said anything, her colleagues accused her of being on Trump’s side.’

The recruiter said she has been on the flip-side, where workers in a company were pro-Trump and everyone they suspected of liking the opposition, were vilified.

Ms Christofis Ballis said politics also has no place in recruitment because person being interviewed will likely feel intimidated and agree with the interviewer.

‘Like, the candidate is going to say the opposite?’ she said.

‘It’s really weird. Maybe I’m old school, but I was always taught never to speak about religion and politics.

‘Now, with social media, everyone needs to vent their opinion, and people are encouraged to pick sides.’

The recruiter’s advice for people who are put on the spot and asked about their political beliefs at work is to tread carefully.

‘The whole thing is an awkward, uncomfortable situation that nobody should be put in,’ Ms Christofis Ballis said.

‘You’re in trouble either way, aren’t you?

‘You can agree with them, but then you’re not true to yourself.

‘But at the end of the day you want to keep your job – so protect yourself.’

Ms Christofis Ballis said the topic of religion is just as contentious, even though Australia has become more accepting, compared to 15 to 20 years ago.

The recruiter said after the September 11 attacks in 2001, there was a division in Australian workplaces that gave in to stereotypes – but now the issue seems to be people wanting to prove their ‘side is right’.

‘If a worker says they’re Christian, people will say “oh you believe in God do you?”,’ Ms Christofis Ballis said.

‘It’s a thing now that if someone believes in something they must be stupid if they’re on the conservative side.’

The top recruiter urged Aussies to respect a person’s beliefs and never question them or make them justify to you why they follow a certain faith.

‘It’s not nice. Just let it go. It’s got nothing to do with you,’ she said.

The career coach said because of social media people are trying to prove their beliefs as being superior.

‘Everyone’s trying to prove how smart they are because there’s something missing in their life,’ she said.

‘They’ll say: “I’m more educated than you because I believe in science”.

‘But why are people who believe in the power of crystals considered more spiritual than people who believe in traditional religion?’