Employers risk losing key employees as gas prices remain a top concern


PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – September 23, 2008 – Beyond.com, Inc., the world’s largest network of niche career communities, polled members across its network of thousands of sites to learn what employers are doing to help workers cope with the high gas prices affecting their daily commutes. More than 7,000 Beyond.com Network visitors responded to the question:

“What is your employer doing to help with the rising price of gas affecting your commute?”

• 72% - Nothing
• 15% - Ability to telecommute
• 7% - Short work week
• 6% - Company-sponsored car pool/transportation

The high price of gas has taken a toll on the budgets of many American households, especially those who have a long commute to work. In fact, a previous poll conducted by Beyond.com found that an astounding 79 percent of professionals are actively looking for a job closer to home as a result of high gas prices. Employers who choose not to take action could end up losing valuable resources as a result.

“Contrary to popular belief, helping workers offset the high price of gas does not have to be costly or time-consuming for the company,” says Rich Milgram, CEO of Beyond.com, Inc. “There are many small gestures that employers can make that go a long way in providing some level of assistance.”

Listed below are five steps employers can take to help alleviate high gas prices without breaking the company’s budget:

• Promote Public Transportation – Post current transit schedules in the office to inform employees of available routes to-and-from work. Also, consider subsidizing public transportation.
• Reward Employee Performance – Reward employees who have earned perfect attendance or achieved a specific goal or objective with a gas card. This is also an effective to increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.
• Offer Flexibility – Identify employees who can effectively perform their job from home or offer the ability to work longer days, resulting in a shorter work week.
• Encourage Carpooling – Establish and communicate an internal carpool. Consider providing preferred parking spaces to carpool participants or those owning “green vehicles.”
• Install a Bike Rack – Offer secure bicycle storage for employees who opt to ride their bike to work.

For more workplace-related tips and resources, please visit the Beyond.com Career Resource Center.

About Beyond.com, Inc.
Beyond.com, Inc. is the world’s largest network of niche career communities, powering thousands of geographic and industry-specific sites. We are dedicated to helping business professionals, corporations and vertical communities connect with each other by providing relevant career search services, networking tools and portal software solutions. Beyond.com was named to Inc. Magazine’s prestigious ‘Inc. 500’ list of the fastest growing private companies and is a Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. (NYSE: SFE) partner company. www.Beyond.com. Visit our recruitment blog at www.EmploymentMetrix.com.
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