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« Giving Thanks to Admins | Main | How Becoming a Working Mom Has Changed Me »

April 29, 2008

High Gas Prices Are Hurting Workers

We’ve talked about steep gas prices before on the Monster Blog, but never have they been this high. Yesterday, the national average for a gallon of gas was $3.60 for regular, and crude oil futures were at $120 a barrel. With summer coming up and the threat of stagflation -- inflation coupled with slower economic growth -- there doesn’t seem to be much relief in sight.


Yes, it’s painful for me to spend $50 filling up my Camry, but workwise, I feel the biggest pinch on my commute. Workers who are really feeling gas pains are those who drive as part of their jobs -- for example, delivery people and truck drivers (especially independent owner-operators).


So what’s a worker to do? The obvious solution: Take steps to improve your gas mileage. If you can, try to take public transportation, carpool or even work from home. If you must drive, Mapquest can help you find the cheapest gas in your area. And let’s hope that what goes up will eventually come down. 


How are high gas prices affecting you/your job?

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Posted by Christine on April 29, 2008 at 01:31 PM in Current Events , The Daily Grind | Permalink | Comments (66) | TrackBack (0)

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Don't forget service personnel, especially computer field technicians. Most are contracted by the big ones, and are paid a flat rate w/o milage!

Posted by: FrankVDV | Apr 29, 2008 2:25:14 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about $50 tofill your vehicle up, in Australia now it costs $85 to fill up my Ford! Your've still got room to catch up with the rest of us.

Posted by: Chris | Apr 29, 2008 6:31:39 PM

While I was reading Christine's blog post on how gas prices are hurting workers, I couldn't help but smile. While I certainly don't take high gas prices lightly, I do believe that workers have far more alternatives than they realize.

Workers choose to commute to work, despite high gas prices. You choose to get in your car and choose to stay in that job. Somehow knowing it's what you choose makes the reasoning easier to take. Have you considered asking your company if you could work at home part of the time? Working at home virtually is quite popular here in Atlanta, especially with the traffic as miserable as it is.

In Atlanta, traffic is a nightmare most rush hour mornings and evenings. Commuters have been negotiating with their companies to work at home for quite some time now. Is everyone who does that successful? Of course not. However, you won't know unless you ask.

Secondly, you are not married to your job. If that's the case, then you might consider changing jobs. If you're a valued employee, your company will most likely be willing to work it out with you. If you're just a so-so employee or you really don't like your job, then maybe it's time to look for something closer to home.

Take time to look around you. Sure, the economy is not at its best right now. There are opportunities out there. Just go looking for them.

Posted by: Peggy Titus-Hall | Apr 30, 2008 6:36:25 PM

I switched to a telecommute job not too long ago and I'm amazed at how much money that's saved us in gas!

For people who aren't interested in telecommuting, though, there's some routine maintenence you can do on your car to make it guzzle less gas. Fixing your alignment, changing the oil regularly, and not running the AC are only a couple of suggestions.

You can also change your work schedule around in order to make your commute happen at off-peak hours (e.g. working from 7am-4pm or from 10am-6pm.)

Posted by: Erika | Apr 30, 2008 7:41:53 PM

Gas prices have curtailed my own discretionary spending; which is fine for me. With my 110 mile commute (each way), this week has me dropping $27/day into the tank. The company does permit me to telecommute once per week, so now the challenge is to increase that frequency.

The market price will stabilize, but not soon enough. A pity there's such a resistance to increasing the domestic supply!

Posted by: Charlie on the PA Tpk | May 1, 2008 9:33:44 AM

Everyone's comparing these days to make their situation "the worst." The truth is, it's hurting everyone and each of us feels it. I am lucky to work at home, and happy that I do. But I understand the toll it's taking on people...it's very bad.

Posted by: Ramenrentresumes.com | May 3, 2008 2:25:26 PM

regarding gas prices. the ceo of shell was on a tv show, and said they only make 7% margin on their product. well 7% whe oil was at $30- a barrle meant profit of 42.10 PER BARREL. WITH OIL AT $120 A BARREL THAT PROFIT HAS SOARED 4 TIMES TO $8.40 PER BARREL. THE OIL COMPANIES ;SHELL, EXON-MOBIL AND THE LIKE SHOULD BE FORCED TO LOWER THEIR MARGINS.

Posted by: frank loftus | May 10, 2008 1:31:00 PM

Carpool people!! Saves you $ AND overall energy demand. Some cannot, I understand, but most of us certainly can and should!!

Posted by: cory | May 12, 2008 2:11:29 PM

It is stupid how the gas prices are going up.

Posted by: Nadine | May 13, 2008 9:44:52 AM

We're not stupid but what can we do. It's clearly profit taking by big oil. Don't expect people not to drive to the point that the oil companies start to hurt. People will curtail driving habits a bit because of these prices but not enough to get things changed. And don't expect the feds to do anything either because there is a lot of windfall tax revenue from these increased prices that they reap the benefit from. The oil cans know that the life of oil is limited - maybe about another 20-30 years and they want to get as much as they can out of it till it dies.

So demand is demand and the oil companies know you got to buy one way or the other. Don't expect them to be good corporate citizens where profits are involved. Would you if you were in their enviable position?? It's obvious that the oil bunch reached a consensus that they can rake us for what ever they want and are cooperating with each other by suppressing competitive activity between them - you know, it's bad for business (I wonder if there was another meeting of the commission at Appalachia in upstate NY). I am certain they are feeling out for a pain point now and you can be certain it's going to get a lot worse.

Here's what you can do. Exxon/Mobil is the biggest profit taker of them all and is probably leading this assault so they are the ones that need to be targeted. You have to use boycott creatively. People need gas - they need to drive so don't expect them to leave their cars at home and use a bicycle or the bus. It ain't gonna happen. But what you can do is buy your gas anywhere else but Exxon/Mobil or anyone who is supplied by Exxon/Mobil. The way to win is to single out one of the oil cans to show the others what can happen to them if they play these games. The beauty of it is that it screws up Exxon/Mobil in a way they can't easily recover from. Oh sure, they will lower their prices temporarily to get you back and many people will take advantage of that but the moment they bring their prices back up, you boycott them again. They are constantly running a deficit because they can never make up for the losses of gas sales sold at lower prices and if the boycott is widely respected by americans, the only way Exxon/Mobil can sell gas is if it is at lower prices than the others. They will be forced to keep their prices lower which will force the other oil cans to match up with. When that happens, Exxon/Mobil gets boycotted again and the downward price cycle starts all over. In the mean time Exxon/Mobil retailers will start jumping ship further aggravating the backlash situation for Exxon/Mobil.

I think it can work if the boycott gets good enough traction but I am a busy business man who really would like to but can't afford the commitment to make this thing work. It needs someone who can spend some time getting the word out . Please send this plan to whomever you think can help get it rolling.

Albert

Posted by: Albert | May 13, 2008 4:30:02 PM

Ohh to drop just 50 into my tank..

I am a self employed field engineer and i can drop anywhere between 2k - 3k a month into my car..

Lord forbid should I include travel costs into the cost of the job... Never seen so many people freak about actually haveing to support the people who keep them up and running.

Posted by: David | May 14, 2008 1:08:21 AM

Here's two more tips to save gal;

1. Quit your job and don't drive anywhere!

2. Consider buying a Hybrid Vehicle like the Honda Civic which gets 40 miles per gallon in the city and 60 on the highway.

3. Buy the Civic Hybrid from me at: Motorcars Honda, Cleveland Hts...........................216-371-2401 ext.277 pr larrylapine@motorcarshonda.com

Posted by: Larry | May 14, 2008 8:01:11 AM

The answer is not as simple as some suggest. Many jobs are service oriented which requires on the spot, face to face interaction with consumers. Medical jobs, factories, and retail are just a few examples. You can't telecommute on an assembly line, in a hospital, or in a department store. Not all areas have a lot of job options. And some of us live in rural areas where ride sharing or public transportation is not an option.
Getting the best mileage possible is the only answer for many in the working class. And learning to live without many things we're accustomed to, like cable or internet service may have to go.

Posted by: Sharon | May 14, 2008 10:31:11 AM

There's one very simple way to save on gas. Here's a hint, it's been in use since the 1970's and was enforced by the federal government for a brief period of time:

SLOW DOWN!

I have a 75-25 commute: 75% highway driving, 25% city driving. My car is rated at 25 city and 31 highway, so on average I should get around 28 mpg right? Wrong. I used to get about 26 mpg if I was lucky, but then I kept up with traffic on the freeway and generally drove like I was going for my best time.

Then I decided to slow down to see just how much a difference it would really make. It was difficult at first, but I drove at just under 60 mph for the last week on the highway, I didn't race towards red lights, and I essentially took my time with my commute (which if nothing else helped reduce my driving stress). My new mpg:

31 with highway and city driving.

Now ask yourself this: "How much time do I really save by doing 70 mph on the freeway as opposed to doing 60?" My commute costs me about 6 extra minutes by driving slower. This is saving me about 10 extra gallons of gas per month. The question: Is your time really worth the extra gas?

Posted by: drive it like you own it (instead of stole it) | May 14, 2008 11:01:37 AM

In one of the comments above, someone suggested that if the gas-pinch is hurting your pocket that much, consider changing jobs.

Yet, in today's market, jobs are hard to come by to. I recently was fired from a company that was less then 10 miles from my home. I have, and still am, actively search for employment and it has been over 6 weeks. Having a 10 mile commute again does not seem likely at this point; it's looking more like 45 minutes to an hour.

But, I need a job to pay bills and rent and buy food.

Posted by: erica | May 14, 2008 11:21:23 AM

I am amazed that more employers in this country (US) are not moving toward offering employees some sort of flex-time/flexible scheduling option wherever possible. I am a college prof, and the school for which I teach would NEVER consider allowing faculty to work from home (which we are easily equipped to do) when not required to be physically present in a classroom...no, we MUST sit in our offices a requisite number of hours per week,which MUST be spread over "at least 4 days". How stupid is this, in light of what's happening with fuel prices and the cost of living in general??? The college is constantly trying to portray itself as socially and environmentally conscious...yeah, right!

Posted by: LN | May 14, 2008 12:06:16 PM

Right Now i am out interviewing for jobs, and it is hard because we are struggling already, i ran out of gas on the way home from the interview, i also have 3 children, before you go on some of these interviews, they should ask a little more ???, like i would have to find childcare before i start work, so i need at least 2 weeks notice, on the phone they should have asked , how soon can you start, because i wasted my gas for them to tell me, well, call us back once you find childcare, they could've told me that over the phone,so i wouldn't have to waste gas, i will know next time, i should be asking more ??? before i set up any interviews

Posted by: Lena | May 14, 2008 12:12:07 PM

I have asked if I can work from home a couple of days per week. I am allowed to do this and it helps. I have been looking for work closer to home but jobs are hard to find when you already are employed. Most employers will hire someone without a job first in this economy. At least that has been my experience.

Posted by: Joan | May 14, 2008 12:28:04 PM

High gas prices are a problem if you are auto dependent or work in a auto dependent building. If a company is in an area that is only accessable by car, I don't consider it as a viable career option. My time is too valuable to drive all the time.

Posted by: Mark Schwinn | May 14, 2008 12:58:27 PM

yes these gas prices it a joke. I think american made a mistake when we put bush in office everything when down hill.Its going to get worse than better. like people say $60.00 to $70.00 TO FILL UP.PEOPLE LOSEING JOBS BECAUSE OF IT BUT WHO CARES EXCEPT OIL COMPANYS.AND PEOPLE KNOWS WHO.I THINK PUTTING OBAMA IN OFFICE WILL BE A BIG MISTAKE THATS WAY I FEEL..

Posted by: jim | May 14, 2008 1:32:52 PM

that is so true about the gas prices. gas prices are ridiculous i remember when it was .99 cents a gallon in 1990//now look 18 yrs later it is almost 4.00 a gallon.this is a mess and the cost of living is going up ridiculously//but still no pay raises to match the cost of living

Posted by: sassy | May 14, 2008 2:02:05 PM

Try being a cable or satellite tech they get the reaming from many sides
in-house techs are largly forced to pay for fuel even in a companie vehicle...average milage per day 110 for cable
in-house satellite like with 180 connect/ ironwood (bigest joke in satellite) force you to do the same or use your own vehicle AND pay for your own fuel- while they mis-mannage routs and so on...average milage perday up words of 300 miles sometimes one way!

in most of this industry ... the IRS and BOLIE and other regulatory organizations just flat out don't do there jobs and allow these companies to break the laws without penalties

Posted by: Nathan Cruz | May 14, 2008 2:26:23 PM

"With my 110 mile commute (each way), this week has me dropping $27/day into the tank."

Why the &%@# would anyone make a 220 mile/day commute?

Posted by: Justin | May 14, 2008 2:40:26 PM

Okay, I've read quite a few of the suggestions posted here about what to do with this gas crunch. Let me see if I can add to the conversation and help keep it real.

First, for the person that suggested the boycott of one particular gas provider: The amount of gasoline consumed by the U.S. commuter is a FRACTION of what is spent in utilities like electricity production. Until we get our utility providers to get on alternate means of producing the power we use - and mind you I'm not talking the 5 to 10 percent we're seeing now from windmills/solar collectors - it's not going to put enough of a dent in one company's pocketbook to see the results we want. Is big oil profit taking? Of course it is, and they'll continue to do it as long as they're allowed to operate in our free economy.

Telecommuting - great concept, and thanks to the internet age a real possibility for those of us that are computer savvy and have skills to bring to the game. Unfortunately, as has been stated by others that have posted here in response to the one that brought up the idea, there are far more jobs that require our physical presence in the workplace 100% of the time. Also, if they were to start leaving these jobs in droves to 'save gas' they'll likely find themselves in a similar position as myself and at least one other I saw posting in this particular thread - unemployed far longer than they thought and not likely to find a job anytime soon with the current market. Vicious cycle, yes, but if you ARE employed reading this please have the sense to have another job to go to before you leave the one you have. And if you're taking the spot of someone that left the job to save the gas along with whatever other reasons they used to justify the change, congrats on the new position and good luck with the cost of the commute.

As for the dealer that posted about the hybrid - another good idea, but I'm thinking more along the lines of doing what I saw on local TV last night. There a guy that got fed up with the cost of gas long before now decided to replace his gas guzzler engine with an electric that runs off two 12V car batteries. Only gets 35 miles to a charge because the rest of the car is still the heavy steel frame we're all driving right now (part of the problem with getting off the fossil fuel treadmill, we'd have to all get new cars made of polymers to see any real mileage with just electric), but he said it's only costing him pennies a night to recharge the batteries at home. Oh, and this isn't his first all-electric vehicle - he also had converted the truck he had before this car and managed similar results. One more kicker here, this guy's in TEXAS, one of our biggest oil producing states in the country.

Just a couple points to respond/add to the discussion. Best of luck to everyone in pursuing whatever path they feel best to accomplish relieving the pain. Now excuse me while I get back to looking for work/filing for unemployment.

Posted by: Chris Gatlin | May 14, 2008 3:37:57 PM

While some people here are saying that workers have choices - those choices only exist for people who work conventional hours. Those of us who work shifts have no choice but to drive by ourselves to work. The price of gas has gotten so high that I am considering quitting my job (which pays a decent wage) and finding something closer to home that pays terribly. If I could get away with it, I would ride my horse to work!!

Posted by: Shirley | May 14, 2008 5:53:00 PM

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