Most employees are on their own when it comes to dealing with high gas prices, according to a recent BLR poll. However, for the 1 in 3 employers who are helping out, allowing employees to telecommute is the most popular option.
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Download NowThe HR poll asked employers, “What, if anything, are you doing to help employees deal with high gas prices?” The results are below.
| Allowing more telecommuting |
13% |
| Encouraging more carpooling |
4% |
| Encouraging greater use of mass transit |
1% |
| Providing some form of reimbursement to offset costs |
3% |
| Two or more of these things |
8% |
| Nothing |
71% |
A majority of employers (71 percent) are not providing and assistance or guidance to employees to help them deal with commuting costs.
For those organizations that are trying to help, the most common assistance is allowing workers to telecommute (13 percent). Some organizations (8 percent) are taking multiple approaches.
Telecommuting Tips
Telecommuting is becoming a popular benefit to attract and retain employees. It cam provide workers with more flexibility and has cost-saving advantages for both the employee and the employer.
However, managing telecommuters can be tricky. Here are some tips to help effectively manage telecommuters in any state:
Agree on a schedule. Create a viable workday schedule; allow for breaks; post telecommuting schedule; and revisit schedule issues as needed.
Set expectations. Clarify not only what is expected of telecommuters, but also how and how well it is to be done. Such expectations should be no different than those at the traditional worksite—as with all expectations, they should be documented rather than assumed.
Monitor performance. Focus on evaluating results rather than activities; provide feedback on performance regularly; stay in contact with telecommuters; set expectations that telecommuters keep you updated; find a balance that is right for both of you.
Maintain communications. Keep telecommuters informed of events and information from the traditional worksite; encourage coworkers to keep telecommuters “in the loop” on formal and informal work events; initiate communications and hold telecommuters accountable for the same.
For more tips, read 10 Tips for Managers of Telecommuters.
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