The Future of Travel

by September 14, 2022

As hybrid and remote options increase among employers in Massachusetts and globally, businesses are also contemplating real estate needs and office layouts to align with these trends. At the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, we have held countless discussions to share experiences, data and resources, and best practices in responding to and planning for the future of work. Talent is consistently a…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic, Transportation

Mental Health in the Workplace

by May 6, 2022

Katie Joyce of Alkermes has shared with the Roundtable and fellow Board members resources to encourage dialogue, greater awareness, and understanding of mental health as we mark May as Mental Health Month. Alkermes, a global biotechnology company that specializes in drug development for serious mental illnesses (in addition to cancer), partners with the Mental Health America (MHA) which has shared…

COVID-19 Pandemic, Health Care & Life Sciences, Members News

Roundtable Members Share Employer Priorities and Reflect on Outlook for 2022

by December 21, 2021

How are Massachusetts employers approaching plans for 2022? This December, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable hosted its quarterly Board of Directors meeting as well as an Open Forum which included two opportunities for members to discuss the top issues employers are currently facing and expect to continue to manage in 2022. Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic response continues to be top-of-mind for…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic, Education & Workforce Development, State Policies

Roundtable Testimony to the Joint Committee on Education

by November 23, 2021

Public Hearing on Early Childhood Education Submitted by JD Chesloff, President & CEO of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable Chairman Lewis, Chairwoman Peisch, Members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony on legislation before you today focused on early childhood education and childcare. The Massachusetts Business Roundtable – a public policy organization comprised of CEOs and Senior…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic, Education & Workforce Development, MBCEE, State Policies

Essential Today, Essential to the Future: Latinos and an Equitable Labor Market Economy

by November 16, 2021

As we focus on an economic recovery for the Commonwealth, government, business, philanthropy, and community-based organizations share a common belief: we must build an equitable economy.  That is why the Massachusetts Business Roundtable – comprised of CEOs and senior executives from the state’s largest employers focused on advancing public policy to strengthen the Commonwealth’s long-term economic prosperity – is partnering…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education & Workforce Development

Open Forum Roundup: Roundtable Members on Updated Plans for Back-to-Office Health & Safety Measures

by September 8, 2021

While the summer began with reopening the Massachusetts economy, Roundtable members like many employers were asking lots of questions by mid-summer in light of the Delta variant. Roundtable staff began to hear from members, contemplating the most appropriate plan to return to the office or revisit vaccination and masking policies. By August 2021, members reported pushing back return-to-office dates, in…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic

Open Forum Roundup: Evolving Worker Preferences for the Office; New Framework to Meet Changing Needs of Employees

by July 28, 2021

Throughout the pandemic, the Roundtable’s Open Forums have provided a space for members to discuss best practices, trends, and new norms around the changing work environment.  On July 27, Roundtable member JLL presented the findings of a global study to understand worker preferences. The discussion featured Roundtable Executive Committee member Jim Tierney, Market Director, New England and Julia Georgules, Senior…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic

Talent remains the core of the future of work

by June 1, 2021

Below is an op-ed as it appeared on June 1, 2021 in the Boston Business Journal. There are lots of questions circulating on the future of work, post-pandemic. While we may not know exactly how the future will unfold, our reality is starting to come into focus. A key takeaway from a recent survey of Massachusetts Business Roundtable members, including…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education & Workforce Development, State Policies

Survey of Massachusetts Business Roundtable Members Provides More Insight on Post-Pandemic Planning Among Large Employers

by May 5, 2021

The Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR) today released findings following a survey of its members, providing the latest insight on post-pandemic plans among large employers in the Commonwealth. Most notably, 79% of responding MBR members forecast using a hybrid working model postpandemic; by contrast, 90% of responding members maintained all or mostly in-person operations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, representing a…

Competitiveness, COVID-19 Pandemic, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Education & Workforce Development