Lots of good info about gas prices & labor
availability in the latest Manpower survey.
High gas prices are turning out to be the best
thing for the environment & community since, I
dunno, sliced bread or something.
My wife has seen the results of the Manpower
survey play out at her clinic. One person quit to
take a similar job near where she lives (40 mi.
away from the job she just quit). Another is
begging for more hours to pay for his 35 mile
commute, and is concurrently searching for work
closer to home, as well as considering moving to
Madison. Others who already live closer to work
are biking more, or, even starting to bike to
work for the first time.
Can't wait to see $15/gal!
-Mike
Manpower Survey Finds 40% of U.S. Employees
Reconsider Job Options Due to Rising Fuel Costs
Employers Face Retention Challenges in the Wake of Record Gas Prices
2 November 2005
Milwaukee
The pinch at the pump is taking its toll on the
American worker, according to a recent survey by
Manpower. Among the 1,300 participants in an
online survey conducted in September and
October, more than two thirds indicated that
rising gasoline prices are affecting their
ability to get to work.
The most common ways that employees are
adjusting in response to soaring fuel costs
include:
Searching for a job closer to home 35%
Other 12% (i.e. driving more fuel efficient
motorcycle, shortened driving route)
Increasing use of public transportation 6%
Purchased a more fuel efficient vehicle 5%
Carpooling 5%
Have changed jobs for a shorter commute 4.5%
Working from home or an alternate location 3.5%
No Change 29%
"It seems we have finally crossed a price
threshold, and consumers are ready to make
lifestyle changes in reaction to high gas
prices," said Melanie Holmes, senior vice
president for Manpower Inc. "This is a red flag
to employers. The survey results show that 4.5
percent of people have already changed jobs and
another 35 percent are thinking about it in
order to reduce expenses associated with
commuting. Clearly, the price at the pump is the
newest threat to employee retention."
There are steps employers can take to avoid
turnover attributed to the rising cost of
commuting.
Provide employees with information about public
transportation options, including bus and train
routes, park and ride options and pricing details
Add onsite services, such as dry cleaning and banking
Offer telecommuting
Establish a corporate carpool program
Provide accommodations to support people who use
other forms of transportation, such as bike
racks, lockers and showers
Implement parking discounts to help balance the increased cost of fuel
Raise mileage reimbursement to the new rate
announced by the Internal Revenue Service in
September - 48.5 cents per mile (for use of
personal vehicles for business travel)
"Companies are facing hardships related to the
spike in gas prices, but they need to be
sensitive to the fact that employees are
experiencing a similar budget crunch," said
Holmes. "Rising fuel costs are not just an
operational business issue - there is a human
resources component that must be addressed too."
© 2005 Manpower Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
<http://www.us.manpower.com/uscom/PressRelease.jsp?id=81&articleid=141&language=en>http://www.us.manpower.com/uscom/PressRelease.jsp?id=81&articleid=141&language=en
--
Will Warlick
(608) 770-1043
3 Boston Ct.
Madison, WI 53711
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