Blog & News

Education | Manufacturing

Clash of Trades Combines Reality TV with Manufacturing

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO What do you get when you cross reality TV with manufacturing? The…

Economy | International

Broadened Tariffs Weaken Economy

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Tariffs have begun to exact a toll on Massachusetts businesses and consumers….

Associated Industries of Massachusetts | Business Confidence

Business Confidence Weakens Slightly

Business confidence fell slightly and remained in pessimistic territory during July as the US and Massachusetts economies gave…

Business Management | Human Resources | Workforce

When Morale Tanks – Turning the Energy Around

Have you ever encountered a situation in which you saw employee morale dip significantly, maybe after a round…

Employment Law | Human Resources | Workforce

Ask the Helpline: What Should We Do About Employees Stealing Time?

Question We’ve recently heard that some employees are clocking in or out for their coworkers, and others are…

Associated Industries of Massachusetts | Massachusetts Legislature

How Are We Doing at Mid-Year?

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO It’s been a head-spinning first six months of 2025 here at AIM….

Associated Industries of Massachusetts | Human Resources

One Misstep, Two Claims: How a Timing Error Cost the Employer

A recent case before the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts resulted in a split decision after an employee…

Human Resources

Ask the Helpline: Can We Fire Someone Under At-Will Without Risk?

Question: My manager wants to fire an employee this month and plans to rely only on the “at-will”…

Associated Industries of Massachusetts | Massachusetts Legislature | Small Business

Small-Business Ombudsman Proposed by AIM Becomes Law

A new state small-business ombudsman role has been established following an idea proposed during an AIM economic inclusion…

AIM Members | Business Management | Education

These Employers are Changing Lives through Opportunity

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Every once in a while, you get an epiphany about the unique…

AIM Members | Business | Workforce

McDonald’s Helps Employees Move from First Job to Dream Job

Claudia Coelho began her work life the same way one in eight Americans do – she took a…

SJC Rules That Non-Solicitation Clauses Fall Outside Non-Compete Law

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) recently ruled in favor of an employer seeking to enforce a non-solicitation…

Employment Law | Human Resources | Workforce

Ask the Helpline: Statutes of Limitations on Employee Claims

Question We are updating our employee handbook. As we reviewed the laws it covers, we started thinking about…

A Tale of Two Budget Debates

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Two sets of budget debates conducted worlds apart politically last week underscored…

Business Confidence | Economy | Tax & Finances

Business Confidence Edges Up, But Overall Outlook Remains Pessimistic

Business confidence edged up in June, but employers remain pessimistic overall amid concern over tariffs, tax policy and…

Public Policy | Workforce

AIM Backs Bill to Boost Job Training for Non-English Speakers

Associated Industries of Massachusetts recently expressed support for a bill that seeks to strengthen job training for workers…

Housing | Public Policy | Transportation | Workforce

Boston Mayor: Livable City Key to Economic Future

Creating a city with a good quality of life, where working-aged people can live and raise families, is…

Associated Industries of Massachusetts

Camargo to Lead AIM Membership Staff; Association Adds Key People Across Organization

A high-profile public-policy executive and former Cannabis Control Commissioner has joined Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) to lead…

Ask the Helpline: Accommodation Requests and Performance Improvement Plans

Question A neurodivergent employee on a performance improvement plan asked for an  accommodation that a doctor supports, but…

A Checklist for Layoffs and Unemployment Issues

Layoff and Unemployment Checklist for Employers Laying off an employee is never easy, and what comes next can…

Economy | Immigration | Workforce

Employers Face Uncertainty as Programs for Legal Immigrant Workers Change

By Brooke Thomson President & CEO Massachusetts employers already struggling to find workers are bracing for additional challenges…