Corporate America has largely stayed silent about the election, fearful of political backlash, employee discontent and potential retribution by former President Donald J Trump. But as worries of potential civil unrest mount, some business leaders are deliberating when is the time to speak up, The New York Times reports.

On Monday afternoon, the Partnership for New York City, a nonprofit group representing some of the city’s largest companies, organized a call with Dana Remus, the lead lawyer for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, to discuss businesses’ role in case there was post-election turmoil.

The group, which includes some of the country’s most influential business leaders, had urged Congress in 2021 to certify the election results. Monday’s call included more than 100 chief executives, communications advisers and other senior managers.

“Before the election, taking a stand would be a partisan political statement,” Kathryn Wylde, chief executive of the Partnership for New York City, recalled saying on the call.

But “if there’s violence — or a threat of political instability, or a contested transition” after the election, she said, “major employers and business leaders will engage.”