Commuters struggling to keep the tank full on $4 gasoline won’t find employers as willing to help foot the fuel bill this time around, one workplace expert says.
In previous fuel-price shocks, employers who helped workers cope with higher commuting costs through shorter work weeks, increased telecommuting and transportation subsidies, may not be as willing or able to offer much assistance this time around, says Chicago workplace guru John A Challenger.
“Circumstances have changed significantly from early 2008, which was the last time we experienced such a dramatic spike in fuel prices,” Challenger said.
“Companies are focused,” he said, “primarily on rebuilding efforts as they struggle out of the worst recession in decades and, right now in this job market, they have the upper hand and do not have to offer extra incentives to attract or retain workers.”
During the 2008 surge in gas prices 2008, 57 percent of human resource executives surveyed by Challenger, Gray & Christmas said their companies offer some type of program designed to alleviate increased commuting costs, the most popular of which was to condense the work week into four 10-hour days (used by 23 percent of respondents).Â
The only employers that might not be reluctant to institute four-day work weeks are state and local governments. However, this change would be the result of cost-cutting measures in the face of growing deficits, not the desire to help employees with rising gas prices.
In 2008, the state of Utah moved most of its workers to a four-day work week in order to save money on energy, operations and fuel costs. In March, Utah governor Gary Herbert vetoed a bill that would have required state offices to return to a five-day work week.Â
Texas and Oregon lawmakers are now considering switching to a four-day work week, each with the desire to rein in costs.
