Message from Roundtable Staff

What’s the role of employers in an ever-changing world? Over the past two years, we cannot help but think of this question as our communities, country, and the world face complex and historic changes.

From the global pandemic to senseless murders of Black lives, to horrific shootings and attacks targeting diverse populations in schools, churches, and grocery stores, to rulings impacting rights and equality, to transitions in government leadership… what is the responsibility of corporations in the face of economic, racial, and social unrest? It is a question we discussed at a meeting of state Roundtables from across the country this spring hosted by the national Business Roundtable in Washington, DC and one which we continue to consider today.

We are living in an open case study to answer this exact question. At the Roundtable, all roads seem to lead to the workforce—the talent today, untapped talent for tomorrow, and the rising talent for the future. Many employers are learning how to support their employees in the face of all this change, and how to communicate to them not only in Massachusetts but around the country and world. Employers are also considering what is the company culture that needs to be fostered and maintained to attract, retain, develop, and diversify talent so all employees and future employees have a sense of belonging, regardless of their background. 

We may not have all the answers, but we are committed to creating the space for members to listen and learn from each other and the broader community and serve as leaders dedicated to help strengthen the Commonwealth's future prosperity. We look forward to more of this important work ahead and to engaging you in the conversation.

Best,

JD, Lauren, and Claire

During a June Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting, the Roundtable presented its 2022 Mid-Year Highlights, capturing progress and updates on public policy, advocacy, and initiatives achieved over the course of the first six months of the year. Among key priorities to advance before the end of the 2021-22 Legislative Session includes: 

• Improve Early Childhood Education by advancing significant funding and system reform
• Create Opportunity Pathways through securing increased FY 2023 budget funding for Early College
• Strengthen Workforce Development by advocating for historic funding (both increases and level funding) in the FY 2023 Budget to sustain programming and system improvements to foster long-term impact
• Promote Mental Health Resources in the Workplace by supporting elements of Senate and House legislation 
• Maintain Massachusetts' Competitiveness by advocating for an economic development bill focused on housing, transportation, and workforce development investments as well as a tax package focused on providing relief to taxpayers and improving the state’s competitiveness. 

In addition to finally bringing members back together in-person, there have been many highlights in 2022 thanks to continued dedication on priorities and engagement among members. Read the 2022 Mid-Year Highlights

Future of Work Roundup

Updates on Future of Work feedback from members

Roundtable Members Plan for the Future of Work

Building on an inaugural Future of Work Survey in 2021, the Roundtable in collaboration with McKinsey & Co. surveyed and interviewed members in April 2022 to gain the latest insight from members on post-pandemic planning, talent, and economic competitiveness.

Media coverage included: The Boston Globe, WBUR, Boston Business Journal plus an oped by JD Chesloff in the BBJ.

Takeaways include:

• Attrition has and will continue to increase: 50% of responding members are experiencing higher than normal voluntary turnover, most heavily among entry-level and manager-level employees. 
• Hybrid work is here to stay: 68% of surveyed companies plan to use a hybrid work model in the future steady state, a dramatic shift from only 10% who were using a hybrid work model prior to the pandemic and a slight change from 79%, which was previously projected a year ago. 
• Performance remains high: 100% of responding members operating in work-from home and hybrid models have been able to sustain high performance among employees.
• More work happening out of state: Prior to the pandemic, 8% of surveyed companies had more than 10% of their Massachusetts-based operation jobs working remotely out-of-state. That number has increased today to 26% and is projected to rise up to 28% in a future steady state. 

Apprenticeship as a Hiring Strategy

Does your company deliver an apprenticeship model as a strategy to meet your hiring needs? Is your company exploring potential ways like apprenticeship to build a strong talent pipeline? Looking to scale your apprenticeship program? Or simply, want to learn what apprenticeship is?



The Roundtable in collaboration with by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Accenture invites you to join the newly launched Massachusetts Apprentice Network, a convening with employers, training providers, talent sources, and more focused on leveraging apprenticeship to hire untapped talent. Companies committed to apprenticeship are also working towards the goal of hiring 1,000 apprentices over the next five years. 

You will be in great company, too! Gain insights and best practices from employers including Roundtable members Beth Israel Lahey Health and Liberty Mutual plus Accenture, The Cengage Group, and Wayfair. Tap into training provider resources from Roundtable members Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology and Northeastern University as well as talent sources like Bunker Hill Community College and YearUp/UPro. Engage with intermediaries, who help employers deliver programs, including Apprenti, MassBIOEd, and the Northeast Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative. 

Want to learn more? Email Lauren Jones.

The Roundtable Goes to DC

JD and Lauren joined state Roundtables from across the country for a convening organized by the Massachusetts Business Roundtable and hosted by the national Business Roundtable. US Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh (pictured left with Lauren Jones) joined for a conversation with state Roundtables to discuss both opportunities and challenges among large employers in the business community. Throughout the one-day summit, state Roundtables alongside the national Business Roundtable discussed critical issues top of mind to employers from workforce development to infrastructure to supply chain, and leaders shared their strategies to address within their respective communities. 

Read highlights in JD's blog post & the national Business Roundtable's Q2 CEO Outlook 

Quarterly Board of Directors Meeting

The Roundtable voted to approve the appointment of three members to join the Executive Committee.

Dr. Kevin Churchwell

President & CEO

Boston Children's Hospital

Lisa Murray

Massachusetts President

Citizens

Joe Preston

President & CEO

New Balance

Members also engaged in a dynamic discussion on trends and findings from the Future of Work Survey

Prior to the pandemic, 8% of MBR of responding members had more than 10% of their MA-based employees working out-of-state. That amount is projected to more than triple to 28% in a future steady state. When asked during the Board Meeting what is the biggest factor for members in deciding to hire more talent outside of MA, responding members shared:

• 35% of responding member choose to because of an inability to find talent locally to fill open positions
• 27% choose to because of employee preference for remote work
• 19% have not increased out-of-state hiring

Welcome to the Roundtable

Please join the Roundtable in welcoming our 2022 Civic Action Project (CAP) Summer Fellow

Mahesh Admankar

Please join us in welcoming Mahesh Admankar to the MBR team as a summer fellow. Building on the Roundtable’s annual participation in UMass Boston’s Civic Action Program (CAP), Mahesh will serve as a summer fellow exploring the intersection of public policy and the business community. Mahesh is earning his PhD in Public Policy at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston.

Read Mahesh's blog leading up to Juneteenth on Breaking Barriers to Build Black Wealth

Roundtable Guest Blog

An opportunity for guests to share perspective on a timely topic

Going Around the Table

Sharing a few highlights from member companies!

Expanding the Table

Roundtable member companies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

Save The Date