Rising Commuting Costs Prompts More Employer Help

June 15, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - A new poll by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) finds the rising price of gas has prompted more companies to help employees with their commuting costs.

According to SHRM, 61% of companies surveyed last month reported raising the amount they reimburse for gas to the federal cap of 55 cents a mile, up from 42% of companies a year ago.

Flex hours are also catching on, with 48% of companies offering flex time to employees, up from 26% in May 2008. In addition, the survey found more companies (35%) are allowing employees to work from home than a year ago (18%).

The SHRM survey of 450 human resources professionals was conducted the week of May 5.

Fred Schneyer
editors@plansponsor.com