Meet the $2 billion-a-day problem of polarization

What do a sausage maker and an insurance giant have in common? A growing concern about the divisions fracturing American society -- and a willingness to do something about it.

At Johnsonville, recent research with The Harris Poll found that 82% of Americans agree there's too much outrage in the country and wish we could "turn down the temperature." The company's " Keep It Juicy " campaign, voiced by actor Vince Vaughn, encourages Americans to reclaim everyday joy and civility.

Meanwhile, Allstate, one of the nation's largest insurers, has launched a three-year initiative with the Aspen Institute to strengthen trust in communities. Their message is clear: " Strong communities, businesses, and relationships are built on trust."

These efforts reflect a broader trend: companies are no longer sitting on the sidelines while the social fabric unravels. From brand campaigns to cross-sector partnerships, more business leaders are investing in solutions -- in their workplaces as well as communities -- to rebuild trust, civility, and social cohesion.

And there's good reason to act. In a 2024 study, SHRM found that U.S. employers collectively lose more than $2 billion each day due to lost productivity and absenteeism caused by toxic workplace behavior. These numbers reflect a larger national crisis: Americans are exhausted by division, and it's showing up at the office, in customer interactions, and on company balance sheets.

While individual company initiatives are an important start, broader public solutions are also needed. One business-friendly response is the federal Building Civic Bridges Act (BCBA), which would support local initiatives that help Americans connect across differences and heal our social and political divides.

This bipartisan bill, recently reintroduced in the 119th Congress, has been endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and U.S. Hispanic Business Council. Business for America has rallied support from well-known brands like Cummins, ECOS, REI Co-op, Salesforce, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. The legislation would fund research-backed, community-based programs that strengthen civic connections and teach skills like active listening, respectful dialogue, and conflict resolution.

When it comes to ROI for business, the BCBA would generate a ripple effect far beyond civic nonprofits. It could help address three growing challenges:

First, frontline workers are increasingly subjected to the emotional fallout of polarization. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2022, 78% of frontline employees and managers say abusive behavior from customers has increased in recent years. SHRM reports that U.S. workers collectively experience 171 million acts of incivility every day -- leading to burnout, low morale, and turnover. Reducing societal hostility helps protect employees and customer-facing operations alike.

Second, workplace culture itself is at risk. The political climate has seeped into our breakrooms and Slack channels. A 2024 SHRM survey found that 71% of U.S. workers report having polarizing, political, or controversial conversations at work and 87% of employers are concerned about managing divisive political beliefs. Left unaddressed, these rifts lead to toxicity, disengagement, and lost talent.

Third, division is not just bad for workplace dynamics -- it's a barrier to policy progress and economic growth. In a 2024 Gartner report, U.S. business leaders ranked political polarization as the second-highest emerging risk after generative AI. When Congress is gridlocked, the issues that matter to business -- from workforce development to supply chains to climate resilience -- stagnate. Bridging divides is not just a cultural issue; it's a competitiveness issue.

Fortunately, Americans are ready for change. Nearly 80% say that, given the opportunity, they would help reduce divisions in the country. What they need are the tools and spaces to do so. The Building Civic Bridges Act would provide just that.

Whether through ad campaigns, community partnerships, or public policy, business leaders have a role to play in restoring civility and trust. As Johnsonville suggests, it's time to turn down the temperature. As Allstate reminds us, where there's optimism, there's opportunity. And as Congress considers the BCBA, we urge more business leaders to raise their voice in support. Because the future of business -- and American prosperity -- depends on it.

Sarah Bonk is a civic entrepreneur and the founder/CEO of Business for America. She works with business leaders to help fix what's broken in American politics. Kara Revel Jarzynski is the Executive Director of Resolutionaries.