The staggering increase to prices at the pump are not only affecting expenses for individual incomes. Businesses are also feeling the negative effects to its operations due to rising gas costs. Although 60% of 804 study respondents reported that rising fuel prices have had little or no impact to attract hourly workers, and 68% had little or no affect on ability to attract non-exempt salaried employees, a study by i4cp, Inc. anticipate concerns about rising costs that will escalate in the next few months. The sales travel industry may be hit the hardest, with 55% of companies deciding to reduce business travel by a large amount. The use of technology such as web conferencing, videoconferencing, and teleconferencing are being used by companies, and flexible options such as telecommuting are being offered in larger companies. If you haven't done so already, it's best to start taking steps to educate employees on gas-saving practices in order to be on the same page if and when more drastic measures must be made to accommodate the hike in energy costs in the future.

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