As Gas Prices Climb, Employee Productivity Plummets
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Rising gas prices are affecting more than the family budget. More pain at the pump results in more employee stress on the job, says Wayne Hochwarter, the Jim Moran Professor of Management at Florida State University’s College of Business.
“People concerned with the effects of gas prices were significantly less attentive on the job, less excited about going to work, less passionate and conscientious and more tense,” Hochwarter said. “These people also reported more ‘blues’ on the job. Employees were simply unable to detach themselves from the stress caused by escalating gas prices as they walked through the doors at work.”
Hochwarter gleaned the information by surveying more than 800 full-time employees this spring when gas prices hovered at about $3.50 per gallon. All of the people surveyed work in a wide range of occupations, primarily in the southeastern United States. All drove personal transportation to work and had an average commute of 15 miles each way.
Survey respondents said gas prices were foremost on their mind, including a disgruntled factory worker who wrote, “I spend more time at work trying to figure out what I need to give up to keep gas in my tank than thinking about how to do my job.”
Hochwarter’s research will be submitted for publication later this summer. Among his findings:
- 52 percent have reconsidered taking vacations or other recreational activities
- 45 percent have had to cut back on debt-reduction payments, such as credit card payments
- Nearly 30 percent considered the consequences of going without basics including food, clothing and medicine
- 45 percent report that the escalating gas prices have “caused them to fall behind financially”
- 39 percent agreed with the statement “Gas prices have decreased my standard of living”
- About 33 percent — or one in three — said they would quit their job for a comparable one nearer to home
Hochwarter’s discussions with employees confirm the study’s results. Many employees report that gas prices rank as the No. 1 water-cooler discussion topic, ahead of family, sports or work, he said. He found little difference in responses among different ages, gender, work tenure and occupations.
“Several employees said they simply could not escape the media onslaught of bad news regarding the future of gas prices, and many reported their financial futures were looking bleaker and bleaker,” Hochwarter said.
As gas prices rise, so does the stress. Consider the words of Sandy, a medical records clerk: “The more it goes up, the more behind I get. If gas goes up to $5 or $6 a gallon, I just don’t know what I’ll do.”
[Wayne Hochwarter @ Florida State University]
5 Comments
Steve Everett
May 6th, 2008
at 4:44am
If the Bushies get their way gas WILL continue to go up. One war = $50 a barrel, 2nd war = $100 a barrel, if they can get a 3rd war started that should exceed even their own expectations and goals and get it to $150 a barrel or more!
Mike Hood
May 8th, 2008
at 2:21am
Can’t help but laugh at you poor things!
Here in England I just filled up and the best price I could find for unleaded was £1.089/litre. With a couple of conversion factors thrown in, that works out at $9.70/gallon. And Americans are wailing and gnashing their teeth because the price there is around $3.50/gallon??? ROFL!!
Michael
May 8th, 2008
at 6:42am
On April 26, 2006 gas prices were in the mid $2.50 range. Democrat Nancy Pelosi promised that if SHE were elected to be the Speaker of the House, you’d see a change in gas prices. We have.
The Senate Majority Leader, a Mormon Democrat, promised after he won his position to renew the Bill Clinton Pledge to “focus on the economy like a laser beam”. Seems it’s more a death ray.
Which presidential candidate in 2000 had the most oil stock? Answer: Al Gore was heavily invested in Brittish Petroleum and had more stock that the man who won according to the constitution.
*PLEASE*!
I don’t care for Mr. Bush either, but get a grip on reality! And be advised, Steve, that you will get your desire of $150 oil but without your bloodthirst being satisfied. It is the devaluation of the dollar more than any other factor that has made life miserable for us. Political Eliteists don’t pay for gas or cars.
A Baken Oil Formation Supporter
Michael
May 8th, 2008
at 7:42am
In general, the price of fuel will go up. It will not go down. Get used to it.
Ride a bike. Ride a bus. Walk. Car pool. Get a motor scooter.
Adjust your thermostats at home. In winter wear layered warm clothing indoors. In summer air out your house at night and seal in the cool air in the morning. Insulate in every possible way.
Learn to make do and be happy with less. So many THINGS we value are relatively unimportant. Spend more time close to home. Get to know your neighbors. Go for a walk and greet them. Share a cup of tea or coffee at home instead of Starbuck’s.
The US used to be a 3rd world country and possibly will be one again. It is OK. Studies show that happiness depends mostly on meeting the basics of adequate food and shelter. Having all the accouterments of the latest in everything else is not as important, and simply may not be possible for most of us in time.
Roelof
May 12th, 2008
at 5:01pm
How about driving normal cars instead of your gas guzzling Hummers? And while you’re at it, bring a stop to using three times as much energy as the average European. And maybe, to make another whacko suggestion, sign the Kyoto treaty?
Alternatively, you could always invade another country and steal their oil. Nigeria, Indonesia and Venezuela have lots of it. Why limit yourself to the Middle East?