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The Future of Work
Final Report Focuses on Technology, Need for Training
By Mark Morris
Topics like ‘the future of work’ can often sound like a lofty concept, something that’s years or even decades away from
the present.
But to state Sen. Eric Lesser, the future of work
has already arrived.
Lesser and state Rep. Josh Cutler co-chaired a
commission on the future of work and recently released its final report.
The commission came to be after Lesser authored and filed legislation back in 2019 to address the rapid changes that are happening
in workplaces across the state. From increased automation and robotics to international trade policies, all these factors affect the economy and the lives of workers in Massachusetts. The arrival of COVID-19 only accelerated and intensified these economic changes.
“The idea was to take a peek over the horizon, to look beyond COVID to see what a worker’s experience will be over the next five to 10 years, and how we can prepare for that,” Lesser said.
The legislation was signed into law in Janu- ary 2021 by Gov. Charlie Baker as part of an economic-development bill. Lesser called the commission “diverse in every sense,” with mem- bers representing the private sector, the public sector, labor, and academia. Members of the commission also hailed from every region of
 Massachusetts.
“We gathered a group of people with a diverse
set of experiences, backgrounds, and perspec- tives,” Lesser said. “It was important to reach consensus by considering all our viewpoints.”
A major finding of the commission’s report
“
the horizon, to look beyond COVID to see what a worker’s experience will be over the next five to 10 years, and how we can prepare for that.”
discusses how every type of worker is facing some new level of technology integration into their jobs. Lesser gave an example of a restaurant server who once needed only a pad and pen to take dinner orders.
“Now many restaurants have software pro- grams to keep track of orders, payments, and reservations,” he said. “We’re seeing this type of
The idea was to take a peek over
      State Sen. Eric Lesser says the pandemic accelerated a number of work trends that were already in motion.
  We are pleased to welcome Attorney James F. Martin to Pullman & Comley’s Springfield office
 James F. Martin, a leader in the legal and business community in western Massachusetts, has joined
the Springfield office of Pullman & Comley, LLC. Jim has more than 43 years of experience practicing in the areas of corporate and business counseling, commercial real estate, real estate planning and permitting, solar and wind, and litigation and is recognized as a leading automotive franchise attorney throughout New England.
The addition of Jim and his team, including Sara M. Winniman Rossman and Lori Baru, marks a noteworthy expansion for Pullman & Comley’s Springfield office, which was established in 2019. In addition to Jim’s areas of practice, the Springfield office specializes in commercial property tax appeals and eminent domain matters, employment law and more.
@PullmanandComley @PullmanComley
pullman & comley, llc pullcom.com
          James F. Martin
413.233.5132 [email protected]
Springfield Office
1500 Main Street
Tower Square - Suite 1600 Springfield, MA 01115
T: 413.314.6160
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