Benefits June 20, 2008

Group Advocates Telework to Help Employees with Commuting Costs

June 20, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Telework Exchange, a public-private partnership for promoting telework, suggests that if everyone who could telecommute did their jobs from home twice weekly, the country could save 9.7 billion gallons of gas and $38.2 billion a year.
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According to InformationWeek, Telework Exchange surveyed 377 federal and private-sector employees and found that on average, Americans spend $2,052 annually on gas and 264 hours, or 11 days, commuting each year.

Eighty-nine percent of respondents said they would limit job searches because of potential commuting costs, and 28% said they are seeking new jobs to reduce commuting costs.

The survey also found that 92% of respondents believe they could do their jobs from home; however, only 34% reported they actually telework. Eighty-four percent of respondents said they rely on their own transportation to commute to work.

“As we reach the $4 gallon of gas, Americans must turn to alternative methods, such as telework, to cut costs. In addition, employers need to consider offering telework programs and other incentives to retain current employees and recruit new staff members,” said Cindy Austen, general manager of Telework Exchange, in the news report.

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