Workplace Worker Bees Fighting Fuel Costs & Stress

The global concern about the dying off of honey bees has been flying higher on the radar screens of environmental advocates and big business. Honey bees are being decimated by what scientists have termed, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).  Essentially, bees are leaving the planet because their immune systems are suffering due to stressful working and commuting conditions. (We can learn a thing or two from this eco-crisis) Sounds familiar? Take a look in the mirror. Just like those honey bees, the stress of commuting is now compounded by financial stress for us humans, making worklife balance a far fetched goal.

[Click here for a commentary by Mary Martin Ph.D. of AnimalPerson.net who blogged on this topic at SuperVegan.com.]

Now lets address the human race, stressful commuting conditions, skyrocketing fuel costs, and the resulting financial stress. In Sarah Needleman’s article in the Wall Street Journal, she takes a look at how some companies are stepping up to the plate by helping employees with the cost of commuting. It’s to their benefit:

"Expressing this kind of concern for workers’ financial well-being may be critical, says Wayne Hochwarter, a management professor at the College of Business at Florida State University who studies workplace dynamics. Employees experiencing financial problems tend to be less productive due to increased stress levels, says Prof. Hochwarter."

Whether it’s rising gas prices or the state of our economy, corporate America and business in general would be wise to wake up to the need to better address workplace stress, employee engagement and worklife flexibility. Coming to the aid of commuting employees is short term solution to a much bigger problem.  In a tight job market, a long expensive commute might not be enough to push highly skilled workers elsewhere, but workplace tensions might be enough to finish the job.

If gas prices continue to soar, and employers don’t address the resulting financial stress, we might see even shorter fuses in the workplace. And just like those honey bees – those workers might take off.