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The hot trend in the job market? Un-retirement

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The hot trend in the job market? Un-retirement

Over the past two years our chamber’s food assistance program has purchased more than 15,000 meals from independent restaurants in Newton, Wellesley and Needham and delivered them to families and individuals in need.
 
This morning we’re making our first meal deliveries in Watertown as we expand our Nourishing program yet again.
 
We’ll be buying boxed meals from Diner at 11 North Beacon and dropping them off at Watertown Community Fridge which has just settled into its new location at 80 Mt. Auburn St.
 
Upcoming deliveries to the Fridge and other Watertown locations are in the works from Deluxe Town Diner, Gerry’s Italian Kitchen, Shirax Cuisine, Cha Yen Thai Cookery, Demos, India Kitchen, Number 1 Taste and more.
 
The Watertown program is funded by a significant contribution by TripAdvisor and supported by numerous individual donations.
 
If you operate a Watertown restaurant and are interested in participating (restaurants are compensated for all meals), learn more and fill out a partner application form here.
 
We also need volunteers to help with Watertown deliveries. If interested, fill out this form.
 
Learn more about our Nourishing programs and additional ways you can support the effort, or make a contribution, here.
 
The latest hot trend in the job market? Un-retirement
 
The April jobs report is due out today. It's expected to show that more workers continue to rejoin the workplace, although the pace is slowing.
 
As of March, there were still nearly two available positions for every unemployed person.
 
One major area that contributed to the labor shortage was the loss of millions of older Americans who stopped working during the pandemic.
 
But now, many older workers are un-retiring, according to the Washington Post.
 
An estimated 1.5 million retirees reentered the U.S. labor market over the past year. That represents most of the extra losses of retirees since February 2020.
 
The availability of vaccines, boosters and therapeutics, has helped lure some older workers back. More flexible work arrangements and employers’ willingness to turn to older workers in a tough hiring market are factors too.
 
Also at play: Rising costs and the inability to keep up while on a fixed income. Workers between the ages of 55 and 64 are less likely to qualify for Medicare or full Social Security benefits.
 
Immigrant license bill finally passes
 
A long-debated proposal to expand driver's license access to undocumented immigrants took a major step yesterday toward becoming law, clearing the Senate with a strong enough margin to overcome the prospect of a veto from Gov. Charlie Baker, reports Chris Lisinski at State House News.
 
The House approved its version of the license access bill, also by a veto-proof margin, in February.
 
Supporters say the bill would ensure that some of the 185,000 immigrants who already live in Massachusetts without legal status are properly tested before driving and relieve their fears of traffic stops spiraling into devastating consequences.
 
This could be found money for your business
 
The IRS estimates that approximately 70%-80% of small and medium businesses (as well as tens of thousands of nonprofits) qualify for the Employee Retention Credit.
 
But the actual numbers of businesses and charities applying for the ERC — is far below that.
 
It’s not too late for your business to apply. And the payout can be substantial. This Forbes article can help you get started.
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Other Need to Knows
 
  • The Bulfinch Companies is hosting virtual meetings May 12 and May 19 at 7:30 p.m. to present its vision for redeveloping the former Muzi Motors site along Route 128 in Needham. Zoom link is here.
 
  • Here's a frustrating story: Aram's Café in Belmont was forced to close permanently after an oil delivery driver erroneously pumped approximately 75 gallons of heating fuel into the business’ basement. The breakfast and lunch spot, known for its Armenian menu, first opened in 1987. The vendor has taken responsibility for the mistake. (WCVB)
 
  • The three finalists for Watertown City Manager will introduce themselves in a forum at City Hall on Monday (May 9) at 6 p.m. It will also be available via Zoom here.
 
  • Authors & Innovators curator and attorney Larry Gennari’s latest BBJ column looks at books focused on negotiations and winning, including a new book from a former Needham High basketball player you’ve heard of.
 
  • A monthly series of events designed to enhance foot traffic in Wellesley kicks off tomorrow (Sat.) with Color Wellesley Wonderful from noon to 3 p.m.
 
Will the office space market rebound? Has it already?
 
A reminder to RSVP for next Wednesday’s 10 a.m. webinar for a discussion about the current state of the hard to predict suburban office market.
 
We’ll discuss what local owners and brokers are seeing for activity, trends in the market and their forecast for the future.
 
Our panelists – from Boston Properties, Newmark and RW Holmes -- will also explain the impact of the life science market, the lasting impact of COVID on leasing, and the rise of green buildings. Register.
 
Want to go for a dip in the Charles?
 
Swimming in the Charles River is only allowed with a permit from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
 
But you'll have a chance to dive in on June 18 when the Charles River Conservancy’s City Splash returns after a several year absences, off the Fiedler Dock on the DCR Esplanade in Boston. Details. There will also be a one-mile swim that day.
 
When the first City Splash took place 2013 it was one first public community swims in the Charles River in more than fifty years.
 
Swimming has been prohibited in the Charles since the 1950’s when a growing awareness of the health risks posed by pollution in the Charles caused the beaches and bathhouses lining the river to close. 
 
RIP Newton TAB
 
Boston Business Journal Managing Editor Don Seiffert, who I worked with when we were both at the company that later became Gannett, pays tribute to the now late Newton TAB in the BBJ’s 5 Things newsletter this morning.
 
He also shares the note I received from our TAB delivery woman of many decades (can't believe she would drive here from Falmouth!) that left a lump in my throat.
 
Read it here (scroll down)
 
That’s Need to Knows for today – National Nurses Day – unless you need to know about the restaurant robot that will assemble your custom salad without ever coughing on it.
 
Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate!
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
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