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OK boomer, here's what your Gen Zers workers want

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OK boomer, here's what your Gen Zers workers want

Not paying attention to the generational differences in our workplaces can be detrimental to success.
 
For employers looking to retain and attract Gen Z workers (those born between 1997 and 2012) that could mean providing mental health support and a more traditional work experience, according to one recent study published by Axios.
 
Check out these results from a survey of recent graduates who were asked what they’re looking for in their future workplace.
 
  • 47% want to be provided mental health support at their workplace.
  • 43% want to talk openly about mental health at the office.
  • 41% want their company to be engaged in social causes the employee supports.
  • 34% want virtual interaction to be the norm, rather than the exception.
 
“If you are in your 40s or 50s, the above stats may prompt you to scoff and revert to a sentiment I heard someone recently express jokingly: ‘Get a therapist and do your job,’ writes Needham-based author, marketing guru, and chamber friend Robert Glazer in a lengthy post on the subject on LinkedIn.
 
“However, ignoring this data altogether would be a mistake, as it represents a major shift in priorities that may shape the future workplace. We don’t need overpriced Gen Z consultants promising to share the secrets to managing this generation—we just need to listen, seek to understand, and have a dialogue.”
 
But what survey explains this Gen Zer?
 
Sure, get off my lawn. Then explain to this boomer dad why a 23-year-old would buy this.
 
For Peet’s sake, this is Truly good news
 
For two decades Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Wellesley Square was a popular meeting place and an important driver of foot traffic for downtown merchants.
 
When Peet’s closed in March of 2021, it was a big loss.
 
Another Wellesley favorite Truly’s, the ice cream and frozen yogurt shop tried to move to Peet's location at the corner of Crest Road and Central Street and planned to sell Peet’s products.
 
But Truly’s plans didn’t pan out and the site became a Chase Bank branch.
 
But a year and a half later there's good news. Starting in February Truly’s plans to add Peet’s products to its menu when it expands its current downtown location at 39 Grove St., according to The Swellesley Report.
 
Froyo and Morning Joe. Sounds like all the basic food groups to me. (Unless you win free hot dogs for life.)
 
Truly’s will also expand its hours, provide indoor seating and add locally baked goods to its menu.
 
This is just the latest positive news for downtown Wellesley and the commercial real estate sector in general. If you missed our terrific panel program last week about the town's real estate resurgence, you can watch it here.
 
 
Still, confused by Question 1?
 
This is a reminder that we're hosting a webinar looking at the Fair Share/Millionaires' tax constitutional amendment today (Weds.) at noon.
 
Andrew Farnitano, communications director for Fair Share for Massachusetts will speak in support of the "yes" vote. Eileen McAnneny, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, will speak in support of voting "no," followed by Q&A. Register.
 
The Globe's Shirley Leung's take is here.
 
Watertown establishes housing trust
 
Watertown has joined Newton, Needham, and about 100 other Bay State communities by forming a trust to help fund and advocate for the development of affordable housing.
 
The Watertown Affordable Housing Trust will set aside funds to buy property or preserve existing affordable housing, starting with a pool of $750,000 drawn from federal grants and other sources, reports John Hilliard at the Globe.
 
In August 2022, the median sales price for a single-family home in Watertown was about $1.3 million, up from about $600,000 at that same point in 2017, according to Redfin.
 
Watertown satisfies the state's 40B affordable housing law threshold by having 2% of its land area as affordable housing (the law requires 1.5% of land or at least 10% of housing stock.) Needham and Wellesely have also met its 40B mandate. Newton has not.
 
Beware of used cars from Florida
 
AAA Northeast is warning used car buyers to beware of Hurricane Ian wrecked vehicles coming to the market from Florida.
 
Insurance companies often declare flood-damaged vehicles as total losses, and those cars are then sold to salvage companies. But according to CarFax, nearly 50% of flood-damaged, totaled vehicles return to the market as used cars.
 
Other Need to Knows
 
  • Newton businesses and nonprofits looking for high school-age employees, or interested in hosting an intern, should check out programs offered by the City of Newton's Youth Services Division. Details
 
  • If your business is involved with or exploring international trade, the Massachusetts Export Center is hosting a Global Trade Economic & Regulatory Outlook on Thursday (Oct. 20) at 2 p.m. It's in person at Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst or online via a Livestream webinar. Details
 
  • Hummus v’Hummus, a new fast-casual Israeli food concept from acclaimed local chef and restaurateur Avi Shemtov, is now open at The Street Chestnut Hill. (Newton Patch)
 
  • The Needham Community Council Walk 'n Talk ELL program offers a variety of free English language learning programs to all adults who work or live in Needham and to all levels of learners. Details.
 
  • The Metrowest Women’s Fund has donated $71,000 to MassBay Community College to support students who are single mothers. The money will cover non-tuition-related expenses, including childcare, housing, and other basic needs. (Swellesley Report).
 
  • Mike Noonan is joining TripAdvisor as its new CFO and senior VP. He replaces Ernst Teunissen who's been Trip’s CFO since 2015. The change follows the departure of CEO and co-founder Steve Kaufer, who retired earlier this year and was replaced by Matt Goldberg. (BBJ)
 
  • The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has awarded Lasell University a $700,000 grant to purchase laboratory equipment and instrumentation to support the University’s popular life sciences programs through a workforce development capital grant.
 
  • Are you planning a grand opening or celebrating a major renovation or new location? Learn about the chamber’s ribbon-cutting program and how each event helps a chamber member nonprofit. We’ll even bring the scissors!
 
Businesses struggle while you-know-who vacations
 
Confidence among Massachusetts employers dropped in September after three months of growth, reflecting increased concerns about inflation and financial strain on the horizon, according to Associated Industries of Massachusetts. (State House News)
 
Which (and you knew this was coming right?) speaks to why it's past time for our Legislature to return from a now 72-day recess and pass an Economic Development Bill that provides relief to support both employers and employees -- including money for the state's unemployment insurance trust fund. 
 
Okay. Stepping off the soapbox.
 
Boylston builds on the success
 
Boylston Properties just received a big influx of cash in the form of a $300 million loan to finish work on retail storefronts and to repay a construction loan, according to the BBJ’s Greg Ryan.
 
“This financial milestone is one of many we’ve celebrated this year, and it adds to a list of reasons that we’re extremely proud of Arsenal Yards — for the value that it’s proving to deliver to residents, employees, and the broader Watertown community,” said Boylston President Mark Deschenes.
 
All of Arsenal Yards’ nearly 400,000 square feet of life sciences space is leased. About 95% of its retail space is leased and its 300-plus apartments are also about 95% leased.
 
Let Newton know how you feel about growing its village centers
 
Newton is currently undergoing a process to rezone its village centers.
 
Done right, the effort could help revitalize Newton’s village centers by allowing for increased mixed-use, commercial and residential development -- which could mean more foot traffic and more customers for our merchants.
 
Done wrong and we get more empty storefronts.
 
Explore the options and provide feedback here (the survey closes Sunday). Watch this video to learn more.
 
Yes, zoning can make one's eyes glaze over, but this is important and presented in an interesting way. You do not need to be a resident.
 
 
 
That’s your Need to Knows for today, unless you need to know why your iPhone would prefer you rode the merry-go-round.
 
 
Be back Friday.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
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