Time to get back to the office?
Time to get back to the office?
Outside of the medical profession, few individuals in the private sector did more to lead our state's vaccination and testing efforts during the pandemic than Tim Rowe.
And now, the founder and CEO of the Cambridge Innovation Center and CIC Health has a message for employers:
It’s time to stop waiting for some hypothetical future "safe" date to return to the workplace and reopen offices.
“Getting back to work in-person is just as essential as students getting back to school in-person, and there is a misconception about the prevalence of remote work,” Rowe writes in a BBJ op-ed.
Rowe notes that 78% of adults 18-plus are fully vaccinated in Massachusetts, while pointing to a recent study in Nature that found employees do not work as well remotely as they do in person.
“As we aim to protect our workplaces from the virus, we must also protect our workplace culture, employee morale, and the potential to innovate and grow. While it’s been well-reported that some workers don’t want to give up the benefits of remote work, many are craving in-person workplace interaction.
“Vaccine mandates and vax-or-test policies are a major part of the back to in-person work solution, and business leaders should feel empowered to issue them while working closely with individuals on warranted exceptions,” he adds.
Is your company looking to step up your DEI efforts?
The chamber exploring the idea of forming an affinity group for owners and managers looking to explore ways to make their workplaces more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Each month, this group will get together to discuss best practices and challenges relative to hiring, staff development, purchasing, customer service or other matters through a DEI commitment.
It's open to chamber member owners and managers at businesses or nonprofits with ten or more FTEs. Contact Tiffany Chen if you meet that criteria and are interested in learning more.
New to our neighborhoods
And leaving
Newton-Wellesley funds housing security
Newton-Wellesley Hospital is making a big investment in addressing housing insecurity in our western inner suburbs.
They've just awarded $1.9 million to the Waltham-based WATCH Community Development Corporation and Newton-based MetroWest Collaborative Development.
The three nonprofits will collaborate to reduce inequities in housing security of low-income tenants, particularly among communities of color and immigrant communities in Natick, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley and Weston.
NWH identified housing insecurity as the focus of its community-based health initiative following a comprehensive review of critical needs in the area.
Guv supports bonus idea for essential workers
Gov. Charlie Baker said yesterday that “conceptually” he supports a proposal I told you about yesterday that would provide bonuses for low-income, essential workers who stayed on the job during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
The $500 million premium pay program in the House's $3.65 billion spending plan is said to also have the support of Senate leaders, writes Chris Lisinski at State House News.
"While I hesitate until I see the fine print on most things to comment, I do think conceptually this is something that's the right thing to do and we'll do the best we can to implement it," Baker said in a GBH Boston Public Radio interview.
Depending on how many people qualify, the checks would range between $500 and $2,000 for workers who earned less than 30% of the federal poverty line.
Baker also put a plug in for providing funding ASAP for workforce development.
"The workforce training stuff, the skill-building stuff, the apprenticeship programs, rapid re-employment -- those are things where we can start matching people who are looking for work with employers who are looking for people," Baker said.
"That's important, especially since we still have places and spaces in Massachusetts that have really significant unemployment issues."
Mayors support creating public bank
The Metro Mayors Coalition, a group of 15 cities and towns in Greater Boston (including Newton), has put its support behind proposals to create a public bank that would help small businesses and municipalities obtain financing, the Globe’s Jon Chesto reports.
Massachusetts Bankers Association opposes the legislation.
Getting around Newton just got easier
Newton’s on-demand ride share service, NewMo has expanded.
Now anyone anywhere in the city, can get a ride to between any two locations inside Newton for $2.
Service runs from at 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Download the app (search for NewMo Newton on the app store) or call 617-655-8019 to get started.
Employers interested covering the costs for employees or customers should complete the organization sign up form at newton.gov/newmo. For more information, contact Nicole Freedman at 617-879-8148.
Bus redesign meeting tonight
The MBTA will present ideas about its Bus Network Redesign and other Better Bus Project initiatives virtually tonight (Weds.) at 6 p.m. This meeting will present the approach and principles being used by MassDOT and MBTA to propose a transformed bus network. Register.
One last reminder
While you’ve battened down the hatches or access damage from downed limbs and flooded basements, a reminder to join us at 1 p.m. for our webinar on “Disaster Preparation for Small Business.”
How unique is this moment in our economy?
Here’s how the Atlantic’s Derek Thompson frames this unparalleled moment in our nation's economy.
“Americans are buying more stuff than ever before. That’s good. But because of supply constraints, it can feel like there’s a painful shortage of just about everything. That’s bad.
“Economic growth is booming, but the president’s approval rating on the economy is falling, which is a historically odd juxtaposition.
“Businesses everywhere are struggling to fill jobs, which sounds bad, but employer pain is workers’ gain, and wages are rising, which is wonderful. But because prices are rising too, inflation-adjusted hourly-wage growth actually declined in September, which is not wonderful.”
America’s GDP is larger today than it was at the start of the pandemic, Thompson adds. And yet, the economy is also down down about 7 million workers.
That's equal to having the entire labor force of Pennsylvania sitting on the sidelines.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to know what the Globe's restaurant critic says are the best -- and worst --- Halloween candies.
Be back Friday.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
P.S. Thanks to MassBio's Kendalle Burlin O’Connell and the BBJ's Rowan Walrath for yesterday's compelling discussion about bringing the life sciences to our inner suburbs. If you missed it -- or want to share the video with a colleague, access it here.
And now, the founder and CEO of the Cambridge Innovation Center and CIC Health has a message for employers:
It’s time to stop waiting for some hypothetical future "safe" date to return to the workplace and reopen offices.
“Getting back to work in-person is just as essential as students getting back to school in-person, and there is a misconception about the prevalence of remote work,” Rowe writes in a BBJ op-ed.
Rowe notes that 78% of adults 18-plus are fully vaccinated in Massachusetts, while pointing to a recent study in Nature that found employees do not work as well remotely as they do in person.
“As we aim to protect our workplaces from the virus, we must also protect our workplace culture, employee morale, and the potential to innovate and grow. While it’s been well-reported that some workers don’t want to give up the benefits of remote work, many are craving in-person workplace interaction.
“Vaccine mandates and vax-or-test policies are a major part of the back to in-person work solution, and business leaders should feel empowered to issue them while working closely with individuals on warranted exceptions,” he adds.
Is your company looking to step up your DEI efforts?
The chamber exploring the idea of forming an affinity group for owners and managers looking to explore ways to make their workplaces more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Each month, this group will get together to discuss best practices and challenges relative to hiring, staff development, purchasing, customer service or other matters through a DEI commitment.
It's open to chamber member owners and managers at businesses or nonprofits with ten or more FTEs. Contact Tiffany Chen if you meet that criteria and are interested in learning more.
New to our neighborhoods
- Pastry chef Thiago Silva, a winner of multiple Food Network baking shows, including “Dessert Games” and an all-baking iteration of “Chopped,” will be opening SALT in Newton Centre’s Piccadilly Square early next year. (Boston.com)
- After 25 years in downtown Boston, commercial mortgage firm Fantini & Gorga is relocating to 187 First Ave in Needham.
- Caskata, a dinnerware design company, has opened its offices at the Hathaway House, on Central Street in Wellesley. (Swellesley Report)
- The Don’s BBQ is opening soon on School Street in Watertown. It’s run by chamber friend Sebastian DiFelice, who used to run a catering operation in Newton.
And leaving
- Walgreens in Newton Centre is closing Nov. 8
Newton-Wellesley funds housing security
Newton-Wellesley Hospital is making a big investment in addressing housing insecurity in our western inner suburbs.
They've just awarded $1.9 million to the Waltham-based WATCH Community Development Corporation and Newton-based MetroWest Collaborative Development.
The three nonprofits will collaborate to reduce inequities in housing security of low-income tenants, particularly among communities of color and immigrant communities in Natick, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Wellesley and Weston.
NWH identified housing insecurity as the focus of its community-based health initiative following a comprehensive review of critical needs in the area.
Guv supports bonus idea for essential workers
Gov. Charlie Baker said yesterday that “conceptually” he supports a proposal I told you about yesterday that would provide bonuses for low-income, essential workers who stayed on the job during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
The $500 million premium pay program in the House's $3.65 billion spending plan is said to also have the support of Senate leaders, writes Chris Lisinski at State House News.
"While I hesitate until I see the fine print on most things to comment, I do think conceptually this is something that's the right thing to do and we'll do the best we can to implement it," Baker said in a GBH Boston Public Radio interview.
Depending on how many people qualify, the checks would range between $500 and $2,000 for workers who earned less than 30% of the federal poverty line.
Baker also put a plug in for providing funding ASAP for workforce development.
"The workforce training stuff, the skill-building stuff, the apprenticeship programs, rapid re-employment -- those are things where we can start matching people who are looking for work with employers who are looking for people," Baker said.
"That's important, especially since we still have places and spaces in Massachusetts that have really significant unemployment issues."
Mayors support creating public bank
The Metro Mayors Coalition, a group of 15 cities and towns in Greater Boston (including Newton), has put its support behind proposals to create a public bank that would help small businesses and municipalities obtain financing, the Globe’s Jon Chesto reports.
Massachusetts Bankers Association opposes the legislation.
Getting around Newton just got easier
Newton’s on-demand ride share service, NewMo has expanded.
Now anyone anywhere in the city, can get a ride to between any two locations inside Newton for $2.
Service runs from at 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Download the app (search for NewMo Newton on the app store) or call 617-655-8019 to get started.
Employers interested covering the costs for employees or customers should complete the organization sign up form at newton.gov/newmo. For more information, contact Nicole Freedman at 617-879-8148.
Bus redesign meeting tonight
The MBTA will present ideas about its Bus Network Redesign and other Better Bus Project initiatives virtually tonight (Weds.) at 6 p.m. This meeting will present the approach and principles being used by MassDOT and MBTA to propose a transformed bus network. Register.
One last reminder
While you’ve battened down the hatches or access damage from downed limbs and flooded basements, a reminder to join us at 1 p.m. for our webinar on “Disaster Preparation for Small Business.”
How unique is this moment in our economy?
Here’s how the Atlantic’s Derek Thompson frames this unparalleled moment in our nation's economy.
“Americans are buying more stuff than ever before. That’s good. But because of supply constraints, it can feel like there’s a painful shortage of just about everything. That’s bad.
“Economic growth is booming, but the president’s approval rating on the economy is falling, which is a historically odd juxtaposition.
“Businesses everywhere are struggling to fill jobs, which sounds bad, but employer pain is workers’ gain, and wages are rising, which is wonderful. But because prices are rising too, inflation-adjusted hourly-wage growth actually declined in September, which is not wonderful.”
America’s GDP is larger today than it was at the start of the pandemic, Thompson adds. And yet, the economy is also down down about 7 million workers.
That's equal to having the entire labor force of Pennsylvania sitting on the sidelines.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to know what the Globe's restaurant critic says are the best -- and worst --- Halloween candies.
Be back Friday.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
P.S. Thanks to MassBio's Kendalle Burlin O’Connell and the BBJ's Rowan Walrath for yesterday's compelling discussion about bringing the life sciences to our inner suburbs. If you missed it -- or want to share the video with a colleague, access it here.
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