Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 8, 2021 | Worcester Business Journal 11 Andrew Farnitano, a spokesperson for Raise Up. "ere's some constitutional restric- tions on the state's ability to [institute] an unfunded mandate," Farnitano said. "e ballot question we proposed would not have applied to municipal workers." e City of Worcester, when asked whether it had taken any action or had any discussion about whether or not to opt into coverage for its employees, said through spokesperson Walter Bird the city has historically "provided excellent paid leave benefits to their employees through negotiated collective bargaining language that allows us to administer leave benefits in a fair and balanced way specific to the needs of each employee group. "e PFML also imposes additional costs to both the employer and the employees through a payroll tax, which would place an unnecessary burden on our employees and taxpayers," Bird said. As for Tobiasson, aer she le her teaching job, she used her experience as a freelance writer to pivot to an editing job. Six months later, however, the pan- demic hit and that gig, too, fell through. She now works as an insurance agent at her husband's company. "I finally feel like I have a job where I have balance and the ability to focus where I want to when I want to," she said. Tobiasson underscored she did not believe the districts she worked for actively worked against her, but they were doing what they could with the resources they had. "I'm certainly entertaining returning to teaching, because like I said at the start, I really did feel moved and called to teach," Tobiasson said. "But I can't do that while I have small children at home." W Now more than ever, you need health insurance you can count on at an affordable cost. Don't miss out on the benefits you can get from Health New England! To learn more, visit healthnewengland.org or call us at (855) 460-0574. ✓ No referrals for in-plan specialists ✓ $0 preventive services ✓ Prescription coverage with mail order options ✓ Worldwide emergency care ✓ 24/7 access to Teladoc ® for medical and behavioral health ✓ Wellness reimbursements of up to $200 per individual and $400 per family ✓ New for 2021: Massage reimbursement and acupuncture visits + Plus: Access to medical care from the local health care providers you know and trust Our plans include: COM 4422-0121 View our hospital map at healthnewengland.org/service-area-map. Available in Worcester County Affordable Health Plans That Fit Your Lifestyle. F O C U S After leaving her job, Tobiasson ended up working at her husband's firm. W O M E N I N L E A D E R S H I P PHOTO/COURTESY LINDA ZAWADZKI

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