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Looking to hire? Ask a recent retiree

Millions of Americans quit their jobs or retired in what came to be known as the Great Resignation during the pandemic.
 
But a new CNBC survey finds that nearly two-thirds (68%) of those retirees would now consider coming back to work.
 
The survey found that 33% of retirees left jobs for health reasons, 27% retired due to COVID-19 concerns, and 19% simply no longer wanted to work.
 
Between inflation at a near four-decade high and recession worries, many retirees, particularly those on a fixed income, are reconsidering their choices, according to Fortune. 
 
“I worked for 21 years at the same company when I was laid off due to COVID-19,” one respondent said. “I just interviewed two weeks ago and I’m hoping to get hired. I’m scared of losing my home.”
 
An estimated 1.5 million would-be retirees have already returned to the workforce, according to the Labor Department, Fortune adds.
 
Newton's CyberArk launches $30M start up fund
 
Wells Ave-based cyber security firm CyberArk has established a $30 million global investment fund to help starts up solve complex security challenges.
 
CyberArk Ventures has begun with a commitment to four young companies, the company announced this week.
 
"As a founder of CyberArk I remember the days when we were also a startup looking for a big opportunity,” said Udi Mokady, founder, chairman and CEO of CyberArk said in a video. “Now it’s our chance to give back."
 
Lab projects go before Needham and Wellesley
 
Two developers went before the planning boards neighboring communities to present plans for life sciences projects within a few miles of each other along Route 128 this week:
   
  • Beacon Capital Partners updated its proposal -- with a focus on bio safety and the lab market -- to convert part of the property at 93 Worcester Street (Route 9 near Route 128) in Wellesley into a biolab facility. That video is here. 
 
You had Blue Law questions, we have answers
 
A few alert readers reached out yesterday wondering if it was a typo when I wrote yesterday that retailers subject to the state’s Blue Laws should compensate workers at 1.1 times an employee’s regular hourly wage on Monday June 20, the state and federal holiday commemorating Juneteenth.
 
I make plenty of typos. That wasn’t one. 
 
As part of the "grand bargain" agreement that raised the state’s minimum wage, the traditional time-and-a-half Sunday and holiday pay is being phased out and will be fully eliminated next year. See the chart here.
 
As also noted yesterday, working on Juneteenth must be voluntary. Refusal to work may not be grounds for discrimination, dismissal, discharge, reduction in hours, or any other penalty. RAM has details.
 
Other Need to Knows
 
  • The MBTA is holding a virtual public meeting on the Bus Network Redesign for the Metrowest region -- including alarming reductions to Newton's express bus service -- on June 28 at 6 p.m. Join the chamber by sharing your concerns. Register.
 
  • A major streaming platform is making a documentary about the Boston Marathon Bombing on April 15, 2013 to honor next year's 10th anniversary. If you have videos, photographs, audio and social media postings from the events that week in Watertown you can submit your content for consideration to outreach@amharchive.org. Read more on the Watertown Police Department's Facebook page. 
   
  • City planner and urban designer Jeff Speck will discuss planning for the suburbs of the future at the Needham Public Library Sunday (June 12) at 2 p.m. Register.
 
  • Join or support the 128 Business Council New England Tour de Cure team. Affiliates of any of 128BC's TMA member companies, The Grid shuttle system riders, and supporters of 128 Business Council's mission to build more sustainable communities are welcome to ride Aug. 21 to support the American Diabetes Association.
 
T chair: Agency hasn’t done enough on safety
 
MBTA leaders and staff haven’t done enough to ensure the public that the T operates safely, the head of the agency’s governing board said Thursday.
 
In the first MBTA Board of Directors meeting since the June 1 collision between two Green Line trains, board chair Betsy Taylor called on those up and down the agency's ranks to redouble their efforts, reports State House News’ Chris Lisinski.
 
"During the past year, the MBTA has made genuine progress in implementing and tracking safety measures, but clearly, there is more work to do," Taylor said.
 
"Do I have confidence in the safety management plan, in the capital investments designed to improve safety, and in the general manager and the employees who are focusing on safety? Yes, I do. Have their efforts been enough? No. Therefore, I now challenge the general manager, the safety officer and every employee of the T to do more."
 
Your mission, should you choose to accept it
 
This week we kicked off A Trip Up the Charles, our multi-media campaign designed to promote visiting Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley to visitors.
 
The campaign’s goal is to support our local restaurants, shops, hotels, arts and cultural organizations.
 
Trip Up the Charles
In the weeks ahead we’ll be purchasing online advertising, distributing print promotional materials to hotels and other destinations, and adding content to the campaign's website.
 
But this morning, we – and our local merchants – could use your help spreading the word about all the amazing destinations in our communities.
All you need to do is go to these links on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram , as well as our landing page. Then take a second to like, comment and share those links -- or this video -- with your networks. Easy right?
 
Thanks in advance! And look for more ways to engage in the days ahead.
 
 
That’s Need to Knows for today unless you need to see David Ortiz's son, D'Angelo, drive Manny Ramirez Jr. in for a run. (And, of course, you need to see that!)
 
Have a good weekend. Go Celtics.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
 
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