HireNow provides funding to eligible Massachusetts employers who hire and retain Massachusetts residents. Funding is awarded at a flat rate of $4,000 for each eligible employee hired between March 23, 2022, and December 31, 2022, and retained for a minimum of 60 days.
Eligible Employers
- Any for-profit or non-profit Massachusetts employer who is in good standing with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Local, state, or federal government employers are not eligible to apply
- Must have a physical business location in Massachusetts, but the employer is not required to be headquartered in Massachusetts
Eligible New Hires
- Scheduled to work a minimum of 30 hours weekly on an ongoing basis
- Earn between the minimum and maximum wage guidelines posted below to qualify for a payment
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Minimum wages allowed: Wages for eligible hires must be no less than $14.25 / hour for non-exempt (i.e., hourly) employees. Wages for eligible hires must be no less than $21,375 annually for exempt (i.e., salaried) employees
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Maximum wages allowed: Wages for eligible hires must be no more than $42.50 / hour for non-exempt (i.e., hourly) employees. Wages for eligible hires must be no more than $85,000 annually for exempt (i.e., salaried) employees
- Must be payroll employees
- Must be Massachusetts residents and must be working in Massachusetts
Funds May Be Used To:
- Subsidize additional time spent shadowing more experienced colleagues or on extended on-the-job training during an onboarding period
- Hire an external training provider to provide technical skills training
- Incentivize hiring, allowing an employer to offer a sign-on bonus to job candidates if they accept an offer and remained employed for 60 days
- Give the new hire a retention bonus following a certain number of days at the organization
- Offer tuition reimbursement benefits
Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis for eligible new hires who start working on or after March 23, 2022. Grants will continue to be awarded for new hires made through December 31, 2022, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
