Yes, we’re still required to wear masks inside
Yes, we’re still required to wear masks inside
Wondering how workers are feeling about returning to the office?
A new survey from the workplace app Blind provides a clue.
The national survey asked more than 3,000 employees if they would rather permanently work from home or take a $30,000 cash bonus for returning to the office full-time.
Sixty-four percent picked working from home over the thirty grand.
Among those preferring permanent work from home were 69% of Apple employees; 76% of Salesforce employees; 64% of Amazon workers; 62% of Microsoft employees; and 67% of Google employees, reports Andy Medici for the BBJ.
Out of the roughly 45 companies surveyed, only two companies saw more employees choose the $30,000 over working from home.
Yes, we’re still required to wear masks inside
Massachusetts indoor mask mandate has not been lifted, even though the CDC now says fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face coverings in most indoor settings.
The Baker administration says it will be "updating Massachusetts' COVID restrictions in the near future."
"In the meantime, the current mask order remains in place.”
The latest guidance – plus continued success of the vaccine program and health metrics -- should certainly improve the likelihood that Gov. Charlie Baker will push up the last-in-the nation full reopening date of Aug. 1.
The Globe has reaction from a variety of employers here.
Why no news on the UI solvency assessments?
Turns out there’s all kinds of ways states can spend their fed COVID relief dollars.
In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine will give five people $1 million each for being vaccinated as part of a weekly lottery. Five vaccinated teens will win full-ride scholarships to state schools, reports Politico.
But what about hopes in Massachusetts we could use fed dollars to give businesses and nonprofits a break from those shockingly high solvency assessments in unemployment insurance bills?
US Treasury officials on Monday released a list of ways that state and local governments can use American Rescue Plan Act funds. The list includes replenishing unemployment trust funds to pre-pandemic levels.
Still no word from the Baker administration.
Greg Ryan at the BBJ recently explained it's already too late for some businesses.
Watertown: Four new schools, no overrides
Yesterday I shared some highlights of Newton Mayor Fuller’s proposed fiscal 2022 budget.
But I recently neglected to also share highlights of Watertown’s proposed budget.
Most notably, Watertown’s budget will have a fully funded retirement system as of July 1.
On top of that, Watertown will be building three elementary schools and a new high school within the confides of Proposition 2 1/2, which means no tax override.
Town Manager Mike Driscoll’s budget also includes $6.5 million for a new land acquisition/open space stabilization fund.
Here's hoping Newton’s City Council is paying attention as they deliberate changes to Riverside Station that should jump start bringing the kinds of life sciences companies that has bolstered Watertown’s offers.
Four for Friday
- The state will launch two vaccination programs for employers starting Monday: a mobile clinic that will come to your workplace (minimum 35 employees required); and the ability to book blocks of vaccine appointments (minimum 10) for your team at Mass Vax Centers including the Natick Mall, Gillette Stadium and Hynes Convention Center. Details.
- Sullivan School of Irish Dance – which operated out of Paulette’s Dance Studio in Newton for 37 years -- is looking for a place for its classes for children ages 3-18 on Saturdays and weekday afternoons/evenings. Their kids dance competitively at the world championships and perform community service in the area. Ideas? Contact Clare Sullivan 617-254-6870.
- UMass Amherst’s Massachusetts Small Business Development Center provides free, confidential, one-to-one business assistance and free and low-cost training to prospective and existing small businesses. Schedule a virtual meeting here.
- The Mass Department of Revenue recently announced updates to administrative tax relief. These updates include resuming monthly return filing and payment remittance as scheduled starting June 30. The Department also announced a further extension of the previously announced deferral of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes for small businesses. Details.
Groups seek fed support for at-grade Pike plan
A broad coalition of business, transit and environmental groups are urging the state’s congressional delegation to secure federal funding for an all-at-grade I-90 Allston project, reports Bruce Mohl at CommonWealth.
A Better City, the Conservation Law Foundation, the Sierra Club, WalkBoston, Transit Matters, the Kendall Square Association and the Worcester Chamber all support the effort.
One dissenter is the Charles River Watershed Association, lead by executive director (and Newton City Councilor) Emily Norton.
Norton’s group prefers fewer lanes on the Mass Pike because the other plan “requires filling in part of the Charles River,” Mohl writes.
But Rick Dimino of A Better City says Charles River Watershed is misinterpreting the plan his organization developed with the city of Boston and does not include roadway elements in the river.
Guv urged to restore job search rules
Charlie Baker won’t be joining 12 other GOP governors who've cancelled those $300 federal unemployment supplements.
But what about growing calls to reinstate a work-search requirement for those on UI?
A majority of states have now reinstated the requirement and President Joe Biden has directed the Labor Department to work with states on renewing requirements that recipients of unemployment must search for jobs and accept a job if offered.
“Anyone collecting unemployment, who is offered a suitable job must take the job or lose their unemployment benefits,” Biden said.
Employers have complained that generous benefits give some laid-off workers more income from the weekly payments than they normally make on the job, making it much harder to bring those people back to work.
Bank of America economists found that people who had earned up to $32,000 in their previous jobs can receive as much or more income from jobless aid, AP reports.
Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, told Christian M. Wade of the Salem News that his group is pushing for a return of the work-search requirement, but he points out that it "isn't a silver bullet" for improving the pandemic-battered labor market.
"We have the most generous unemployment benefits in the nation and one of the lowest bars to qualify for them," Hurst said. "That's the root of the problem."
But when restaurants got there, the cupboard was bare
In the restaurant world, it would be like running out of all your daily specials -- and everything else on the menu – about 15 minutes after opening.
That’s what’s happening at the SBA which has received 266,000 applications, totaling $65 billion for the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
There's not even enough money for $29 million in requests for 147,000 applications from women, veterans and socially and economically disadvantaged business owners, groups that get first priority under program rules, reports The Robb Report.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told Eater last month that he would work to replenish the program if it ran out.
Restaurants that have received grants may want to consult this guide to ensure that you spend your award properly.
Hemp is on the way!
Retail cannabis stores in Massachusetts should be able to purchase and sell consumer-ready hemp products within "the next few weeks" the Cannabis Control Commission ruled yesterday.
Hemp seed, hemp seed oil, clothes and other materials made from hemp fiber will be eligible under the new rules (Metrowest Daily News).
And that’s today’s Need to Knows -- unless you need a lighthouse, then you need to know about this. Have a good weekend.
President, Newton-Needham Regional Chamber
617-244-1688
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