Worcester Business Journal

36 Worcester Business Journal • October 26, 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 MARIJUANA DOESN'T CONCERN 81% OF SMALL BUSINESSES A survey by Employers Holdings insurance found most small businesses nationally were unconcerned employees would work under the influence of marijuana. "Some general guidelines and issues for employers to consider, keeping in mind that future court decisions and possible legislative revisions to the law may alter the landscape: The Massachusetts law does not permit an employee to use marijuana in the workplace or to be impaired at work. Online reader Dube Consulting COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF GRAFTON PROPANE FACILITY The First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the Grafton & Upton Railroad's liquefied propane gas facility, after the town of Grafton opposed it in court. "All this money wasted could have been better utilized on how many different projects. Maybe that playground? Maybe new firefighting equipment? Online reader D. Trickle Will you use this new non-stop train to South Station? Boston-Worcester non-stop will be sparsely used T exas computer giant Dell plans to purchase Hopkington data storage firm EMC for $67 billion, sometime within the next year. When asked how it would impact the region, WBJ online readers overwhelmingly responded that job losses for the region were inevitable. T he Baker administration announced the first non-stop commuter rail train from Worcester to South Station in Boston. The train will run at 7:55 a.m. during the week and shave a half hour off of the commute, eliminating up to 16 stops along the way. In our poll for the week of Oct. 12, most respondents said they would use it never or only occasionally. Will the Dell acquisition of EMC benefit Central Mass? Job losses are the overwhelming concern in EMC-Dell deal No. Jobs will move out of state. 83% I will stick with my normal train. COMMENTS: "I think it would be a great idea for commuters. I personally only go to Boston once a year (trade show)." "This would even make DAY TRIPS into Boston more accessible. Conferences, Theater district...." I will switch from my usual train. 15% "Who determined those hours? What happened to working 8am to 5pm?" 8% Yes. It will infuse new money and brainpower. 2% "Not good when a major public company is going private. There will likely be a consolidation of jobs and locations." "Generally the company being acquired is the one that has the most to lose, both from an employee count as well as morale. I suspect this acquisition will be no different." "While executives and stockholders will benefit, the average worker, workforce and Central MA economy will most likely suffer as an inevitable shifts toward Texas occurs. Its rare merger of this size has benefits for the local economy unless it is the acquirer is in your area." COMMENTS: I will switch from using my car. 15% Only once in a while 40% Never 22% 4% Yes. It builds the region's technological reputation. No. A major public company is going private 11%

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