Worcester Business Journal

28 Worcester Business Journal • October 12, 2015 www.wbjournal.com Best Advertising Agency Best Web Design Firm Proud Winner of Two 2015 Best of Business Awards Join the WBJ's LinkedIn discussion group by scanning the code to the left on your smartphone. To scan the code, you need the NeoReader. Visit get.neoreader.com to download it onto your phone. Want to participate in the conversation? F L A S H P O L L T A L K B A C K MARLBOROUGH HOSPITAL'S NICOTINE-FREE POLICY The hospital's new employment screening program essentially says: No smokers need apply. "Is it legal for an entity to control what an employee does off hours? I have heard of charging a higher healthcare premium to employees who smoke, but I have not heard of this type of discrimination." Online reader damorelli Have you used Airbnb or a similar service? Airbnb for business? W ith seasonal winter energy price hikes headed our way, will your business be rushing to take advantage of energy efficiency programs offered through Mass Save and utility providers? A irbnb is among the "disruptors" like Uber to come along and apply Internet innovation to established business models such as hotels and cabs. In the September 28 WBJ cover story, we examined the impact of Airbnb on the local economy and business community. What has your experience been with alternative accommodation suppliers like Airbnb? Will your business be pursuing energy efficiency efforts this winter? Energy efficiency? We already have through Mass Save and would recommend their programs. 37.5% Yes. I have used it for personal travel and would use it again. 26.2% Yes. I have used it for business travel and would use it again. - 0% No. I have not used it and do not plan to. 50% We have already taken our own steps towards energy efficiency. 37.5% COMMENTS: "I have used it for personal travel and also have a furnished apartment listed on Airbnb which offers a wonderful alternative to finding a good match in a long-term tenant." "I have used it for personal travel and would NOT use it again. Airbnb does not qualify properties for conformance to even the most basic code compliance. Watch out! You get what you pay for! " No. I have not used it but I would be open to using it for business travel. 11.9% No. I have not used it but I would be open to using it for personal travel. "Too risky for my liking when I travel. " 11.9% We plan to make use of the energy efficiency programs on offer from Mass Save. 18.75% We do not plan to make use of energy efficiency programs. 6.25% Great program---we switched to energy efficient lighting at a fraction of what it would have cost us without the program We have already been approved and the project should be complete before winter. Mass Save has been fine so far "We have used Mass Save as well as pursued our own initiatives, including the purchase of energy star equipment for our commercial kitchen, as well as installing roof top solar power and other recommendations that have been offered, to qualify for a Green Caterer status with the Green Restaurant Association" COMMENTS: O T H E R V O I C E S LONGTIME TJX CEO STEPS DOWN Carol Meyrowitz served nearly a decade in the CEO post at the off-price retailer. "Good for her. She did a great job. Enjoy retirement." The Boston Globe, October 7 PROPOSED HOTEL AIMS FOR HIGH END A new luxury hotel planned for Worcester: Is it a champaign project for a beer town? "Hope it is a success, but "hip" and "luxury" may not be the proper demographic to be aiming for in downtown Worcester. I'd rather see "very nice" and "somewhat budget conscious." Worcester Telegram, October 6

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