8/17/2005

11Alive.com

Gas Prices Keep Workers Home

Jerry Carnes Reports

Web Editor: Jerry Carnes

With gas prices well over two dollars in metro-Atlanta, more employees are being encouraged to work at home rather than commute to the office.

On Wednesday morning, Kristin Kohrman's commute started before 6 a.m. Before it's over, she will travel at least 40 miles to her 7:15 a.m. meeting and eventually, back to her Forsyth County home. It's a day that will put a dent in her gas tank, and yet, she's saving money.

Kohrman is part of a growing number of people in Metro Atlanta who spend at least part of their week working at home. When she's doesn't have to travel to meetings, Kohrman is busy at her home computer. She started to telecommute at the advice of her supervisor at Children's Health Care of Atlanta.

"I might fill up once a week. I had been filling up at least twice a week, so it's $30, $35 savings every single week," she told 11Alive's Jerry Carnes.

Right now, only about six percent of Georgia's workforce is stay-at-home employees, but interest is growing along with the price at the pumps. Georgia's Clean Air Campaign recruits businesses to try teleworking or car pooling and the sell is getting easier and easier.

"Some companies like Anheuser-Busch for instance recently signed up as a partner," says Ellen Macht of the Clean Air Campaign. "They found indeed their employees are finding this to be something more interesting to them because their commutes are becoming more expensive."

With one day in the car and one day working at home, Kohrman is counting her extra time and money.