Show This One To The Boss . . .

Q: What do gasoline and romance have in common?

A: Both can be explosive. And either can become an obsession when ‘it’ becomes hard to get! In some cases lack of petrol can dampen a romance.

Yesterday’s column about the high price of gasoline and federal teleworking efforts prompted nearly a hundred e-mails.

We asked what agencies are doing to get people off the road and for suggestions about making things better.

You might want to pass them along to the boss.

Here are some of them with more to come:

• “I would respond that Uncle Sam already has a realistic, workable policy in place. The problem is with implementation. Security issues (How do we prevent the loss or mismanagement of taxpayer data), insecurity issues (How can I be a manager/executive without a building full of people to “manage”?), and trust issues (Is he/she really working – or just goofing off?), added to the obsolete mindsets, “We’re unique. Telework won’t work here,” or “I just don’t favor telework,” combine to force such a draconian system of approvals, checks, counterchecks, and documentation that most of us just don’t bother requesting telework. Senior leaders must drive the change to a telework-friendly workplace. If Executives and Senior Managers do not create and maintain a culture that encourages and supports telework, then we are in for business-as-usual for a long time.” Mike at the IRS
• “While (union) bargaining-unit employees are given the opportunity to telework at my area of Health and Human Services, it is not encouraged. Non-bargaining unit supervisors are not given the option, period.” Out of the Loop
• “In order to save on gasoline, reduce traffic on congested roadways, electricity and operations/support staff in all buildings, the federal government should set an example and move to a 4-day work week wherever possible.” Stephen C.
• “I had been a telecommuting for a decade until this year, when a new manager was hired and didn’t like that the employees were able to telework when the manager was not . . . so telework was completely eliminated. Talk about being backwards in the federal government. This new manager is clearly not with the program.
• “My coworkers and I have written our members of Congress who respond with, ‘Thanks for your interest in telework’. My government career will end on a low note because of a manager that could care less about the cost of gas, traffic, telework, etc. We were even advised to ‘move closer to work’ if commuting was an issue.” B.
• “The answer is right in front of you — van pooling or public transportation. I’ve done both and they work. The only other answer is to move closer to work if possible.” Greg In Detroit
• “Our office is going to start our telework schedules again soon. They were temporarily suspended while resources were shifted to work on the new retirement system. However, my comment is concerning van pools as alternative transportation to work. Located in Western Pa., we’re about as rural as one can get! Since the first of the year, we have established, at last count, 6 van pools with more forming daily. The price of gas has encouraged many of us to join van pools and they are great! We also have three buses that bring people to work from various points. So, even in the rural areas, pooling and public transportation use can be accomplished if employees are persistent enough.” Brenda

Worse Than We Thought

Thursday’s column said that Europeans are paying $6 or more for a gallon of gasoline. But it’s worse than that according to feds who contacted us from Germany, England and Italy.

Here’s what one said:

“I live in Heidelberg, Germany, and like all of the logistic supported ID card holders in Europe; I receive gas coupons that I buy from AAFES at a cost of about $4.00 per gallon for regular or $4.15 for premium. The AAFES coupon system is in transition this year to a debit card system. This is a great savings because the local population (Europeans) pay about 1.52″ per liter. With a little math from Euros to dollars and liters to gallons the Germans are paying about $9.00 per gallon. In some countries in Europe the cost is even higher. I have been pumping gas in my car at the local ESSO and the German pumping gas in his car was paying over $200 for a tank of gas, while I paid with my coupons about $87 for the same amount. What amazed me is that in Europe you do not have to pay in advanced with cash or card. After you pump the gas, you go inside the station and pay the attendant. I know of no case of Germans driving off without paying or of people getting gas siphoned from their tank. I would hate to see what would happen if people in the USA were paying $9.00 per gallon.” Steve in Germany

More to come.

Meantime, gulp!

Nearly Useless Factoid

From MentalFloss Brain Games: Each of these sitcoms starred a lead male character. What do these lead male characters have in common? The Andy Griffith Show, M*A*S*H, The Jeffersons, Will & Grace.

For the answer, click here. After you get the answer, bug your cubiclemates with this one. Have a great weekend!

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

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