In my last post, I talked about the “silver tsunami” — concerns about the average age of Granite Staters. One of the reasons we see that growing percentage of seniors is the decline in the percentage of younger residents.
How are we doing to make young people want to stay here in New Hampshire? (Or perhaps more important, what are we doing to discourage them from leaving here?)
The National Partnership for Women & Families just issued a state-by-state report containing “the most comprehensive analysis to date of state laws and regulations governing paid leave, paid sick days, protections for pregnant workers and other workplace rights for expecting and new parents in the United States. … It includes laws governing both private sector and public sector state employees.”
Rhode Island and Connecticut scored B+.
Massachusetts and Vermont received a grade of B.
Maine scored a B-.
New Hampshire rated a D.
Sometimes, it can be a simple move from one town (like Salem) to the next town (like Haverhill or Methuen MA) to change that from a D to a B.
Recreation: There is nothing to entertain our young adults.
Transportation: Our youth go away to the cities, where they experience public transportation. They return here, and, in most of the state, find that they have to have an automobile to move around. Perhaps it’s time to revisit the idea of public transportation, including an expanded rail system.
Employees need to change their models.
Vital Designs of Portsmouth offers group outings, balloons and a gift certificate to a restaurant on your birthday, two workout sessions a week with a personal trainer, a healthy meal prepared by a chef once a week, unlimited snacks in the office and other perks.
“It seems problem-solving is easier when you get to know your coworkers in a gym environment or social environment, so it’s easier to connect with people when you get back,” said Carroll.
Income
Other states have minimum wages much higher than we have in NH. In fact, NH doesn’t have a minimum wage. Our minimum is whatever the federal minimum wage is, currently $7.25 per hour. Maine’s minimum, effective Jan 1, 2017, is $9.00. Vermont is $10. Massachusetts is $11. We need to compete.
There ARE things we can do to make NH great again!
http://www.nationalpartnership.org
http://www.nationalpartnership.org/research-library/work-family/expecting-better-2016.pdf
http://stayworkplay.org/wp-content/uploads/governors-task-force_finalreport.pdf
http://www.nhbr.com/July-24-2015/NHs-income-inequality-fastest-growing-in-US/
http://www.nhbr.com/August-5-2016/Attracting-Young-Talent/