Fuel Price Increase: with the cost of fuel going up and up, what can we do to ease the pain for employee?

Question

This is from the point of view of retaining the best people and make the company more attractive to potential candidates.

Answer 1

There are a few companies that are now paying for their employees' gas when commuting to/from the office, usually in the form of a fixed subsidy based on mileage to their home.

In the long run, you might find this to be a good solution for your business, when you consider the costs of recruiting and training positions left by employees because of commute cost issues. It certainly serves as a great perk for potential hires as well.

Answer 2

Just some random ideas that come to mind...

1.  Promote telecommuting, whenever possible.

2.  Offer "Flex" hours (workers can arrive and leave at times outside of rush hour traffic), or better yet, 4 10 hour shifts vs. the typical 5 8 hour shifts.

3.  Offer to pay new employees their relocating expenses for moving to a new home within 20 kilometers of their place of work if they currently reside in excess of 50 kilometers from their place of work.  Change the actual numbers to suit the needs of your employees.

4.  Negotiate a "Group Discount" on highly fuel-efficient cars from one of the manufacturers.

5.  Negotiate a "Group Discount" on public transit passes for your employees.

6.  Set up a "Satellite" office for a group of workers who reside in a different town or city than the one they commute to.

Answer 3

For jobs that can be done all at once, it would make sense to work 12 hour shift and only work 3 days (36 hours).  Instead of working 5 days.

Good Luck...