The Future of Travel
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…
What’s the Role of Employers in an Ever-Changing World?
The role of the employer has evolved in recent years, with a range of expectations varying in workplaces, communities, and regions across the country. Increasingly, employers are contemplating its role—if any—on a range of social, racial, and economic issues locally, statewide, and nationally. Recognizing this trend and with interest in understanding the perspective among Massachusetts-based employers, the Roundtable recently hosted…
Impact of the Massachusetts Elections
This fall Massachusetts voters will elect a slate of new statewide officeholders, state legislators, and will consider important ballot questions that will impact Massachusetts’ economic competitiveness. Less than 24 hours after the polls closed on Massachusetts’ Primary Election Day, the Roundtable hosted an Open Forum featuring Steve Koczela, President of the MassINC Polling Group, to provide members with a breakdown…
Creating a Family Friendly Workplace
Throughout the pandemic, Roundtable members adjusted their work models, benefits, and business practices to meet the needs of employees, including support for working parents and those with caregiving responsibilities. As the pandemic deepened the need for these supports, it has also mobilized a broader adoption of benefits for working parents and demonstrated how support for working parents is good for…
Historic Investments for Child Care in Massachusetts
Guest contributor Tom Weber is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education The end of the 2021-22 Legislative session promises to be one of the most consequential in the history of Massachusetts’ early care and education (ECE) system. First, there is unprecedented proposals pending approval including historic investments proposed by both the House and Senate…
Breaking Barriers to Build Black Wealth
By Mahesh Admankar, Civic Action Project Fellow, Massachusetts Business Roundtable and PhD scholar at University of Massachusetts Boston The public health disparities exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery sparked the latest racial and social awakening in communities across the country and world. As communities—including employers—looked inward for creating change,…
The MA Business Roundtable Goes to DC!
If we want to stay competitive, should we talk candidly about state challenges and opportunities with business groups across the country? Absolutely. While we may compete with states across the country to position Massachusetts as a top innovative leader, we also know that states must work collaboratively to support regional, national, and global competitiveness. This was top of mind…
Employer Engagement on Racial Equity
During the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, many business leaders reflected on their role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. At the time, some leaders chose to enhance efforts already underway while some were just getting started on their DEI journey. Employers also quickly realized the emphasis must extend beyond DEI to incorporate a greater recognition for racial…
Quarterly Policy Roundup: Q1 2022
The Roundtable kicked off the new year by convening Task Forces focused on key policy areas while also collaborating with external partners to advance strategies to support key priorities. The Roundtable convened its Task Forces including: Competitiveness; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Education and Workforce Development; Energy and Environment; Healthcare and Life Sciences; and Transportation, Housing, and Infrastructure. There were many…
The Need for Talent
Well before the pandemic, workforce development was a priority for members of the Roundtable. But the talent crunch has increasingly become the top priority as well as challenge for member companies – similar to companies spanning industries, regions, and sizes in Massachusetts as well as many markets across the country. Since the start of the pandemic, Roundtable members have convened…