The cost of gas in California has increased significantly in recent months, thereby placing a strain on many families. A gallon currently retails for approximately $6, representing a record-high price (Hoeven, 2022). Employees have been affected by these high costs because their salaries remain the same even as the cost of commuting to work increases. Employers in California can help employees with the rising cost of gas by giving gasoline bonuses or cashbacks and permitting telecommuting, while the government can intercede by offering gas subsidies and rebates.
Californian employers can help employees survive through these difficult times by offering gas bonuses and relaxing the requirement for in-person working. Business owners can subsidize the cost of gas for their workers by giving them gift cards and bonuses to be used to purchase gas (Lucas, 2022). Another way to subsize gas expenditure for employees is by offering a given percentage of cashback on gas purchases. Alternatively, depending on the nature of work, employers could allow employees to work from home for a certain number of days per week. This would reduce their fuel expenditure and help them meet the rising cost of gas.
Besides employers, the government should support citizens burdened by the rising cost of gas. One way of doing this is by putting in place a gas subsidy which would temporarily lower the cost of gas. Although this is a short-term solution, it would offer relief to citizens as the government finds a more permanent solution to the problem. The government can also offer gas rebates by taxing oil and gas companies and redistributing the collected money to Californians (Hoeven, 2022). Ideally, this would ensure that gas companies do not make supernormal profits due to the gas crisis as citizens suffer the high costs. In general, the government has a vital part to play in cushioning residents against the high cost of living.
References
Hoeven, E. (2022). Will Californians get even more gas rebates? Cal Matters. Web.
Lucas, E. (2022). Pain at the pump: How companies are helping employees offset surging gas prices. Forbes. Web.