Companies help employees with soaring gasoline prices by allowing telecommuting and work at home employment

Posted July 22, 2007

Relief from the summer’s high gasoline prices may soon come from your boss. A growing number of businesses are helping their employees ease commuting costs as high prices stretch budgets. This week, the average cost of a gallon of regular gasoline has hovered above $3, according to AAA. Companies are increasing mileage reimbursement rates, offering more telecommuting and encouraging rideshare programs, according to staffing firm Robert Half International Inc., which has surveyed companies on transportation alternatives offered to employees. In 2006, business services provider Convergys Corp. in Moore began letting some customer support employees work from home. Before the company offered telecommuting, some Convergys employees drove 30 miles to work, Convergys site director Jim Lisko said. The move is part of the company’s national push toward telecommuting.