There appears to be an answer in sight to the high costs associated with commuting to and from work: more and more companies are considering telecommuting as a viable option.
It's one thing to surf the net and find obscure articles about telework and its pros and cons, but to see an article in your newspaper naming major companies who are adopting the trend is really a good sign.
I actually know two TELUS employees who work from home - they're Customer Service Reps for Mobility. When you call in with a question about your TELUS cell phone, there's a good chance you'll get one of the company's work at home staff, who can access your account and offer you assistance on a TELUS computer in their home office.
This is all very regulated, of course, and is offered only to employees with some tenure and a good track record. Calls are monitored and stats are kept electronically, which are used to measure employee performance.
The company computer must be in a separate work space free from distractions, and children must of course be with a babysitter (so it's not like running a home based business - the employee reports for work and logs in at the start of the scheduled shift, and takes calls as though working in the company building). TELUS has supplied all the necessary hardware, phone and network connections, which are entirely separate from the employee's personal equipment.
My two friends with this job say that it's worth the hoops they jump through to abide by company monitoring, and it's worth using some of their home square footage for company equipment, because the money and the time they save by not commuting is significant.
Hopefully other companies who have not tried this option will see its success in action and introduce similar programs as well. Here's hoping!!
Showing posts with label gas prices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gas prices. Show all posts
Windows Windows!!
The first day of autumn is here with a vengeance!!
Ok not quite, but boy is it cooling down. I may have to plug in the electric oil heater in the bedroom to deter Hubby from turning on the furnace ;-)
He's not totally "ungreen" though, in spite of his trigger happy ways with utilities. He's the one who wants to replace our windows. If we did that, then we wouldn't have to turn our furnace on as often, or up as high. I'm just cringing at the cost.
Replace them we will, however; hopefully by Christmas we'll have new, energy efficient, double paned glass throughout the house. Hopefully the savings in our hydro and gas bills will make the new debt more bearable (plus I'll be able to blog about how green we are!!) lol
Ok, Jeanne... get on with it!! You have enough quotes already - just hire someone...
Ok not quite, but boy is it cooling down. I may have to plug in the electric oil heater in the bedroom to deter Hubby from turning on the furnace ;-)
He's not totally "ungreen" though, in spite of his trigger happy ways with utilities. He's the one who wants to replace our windows. If we did that, then we wouldn't have to turn our furnace on as often, or up as high. I'm just cringing at the cost.
Replace them we will, however; hopefully by Christmas we'll have new, energy efficient, double paned glass throughout the house. Hopefully the savings in our hydro and gas bills will make the new debt more bearable (plus I'll be able to blog about how green we are!!) lol
Ok, Jeanne... get on with it!! You have enough quotes already - just hire someone...
Vancity Has The Right Idea
Ah ha! No sooner did I write my last post about wishing there were more positive green initiatives rather than a punishing gas tax, than I read an article today about Vancity and their employee environmental perks.
Below is a list of some of the benefits they offer:
Below is a list of some of the benefits they offer:
- discounts on transit passes and parking for carpoolers
- small fleet of Smart cars and cruiser bikes for off-site staff meetings
- free showers, lockers and bike storage
- emergency guaranteed ride home program that pays for cab rides or a transit passes
Hopefully other employers will follow their lead and introduce similar policies, and the companies that already do have similar programs in place can make theirs publicly known as well to create more momentum...
Catching Flies With Honey
Will the new Carbon Tax that came into effect July 1st really have the desired impact on climate change?
I suppose it is one solution. There will be people forced to park their cars more because of the financial impact. Unfortunately human nature is such that sometimes people will only change when they have no alternative.
However, rather than alienating so many good people by tying their hands, from what was meant to be environmentally beneficial, could they not have tried to make our cities more "alternative transportation friendly" first?
Where are all the viable bike lanes? What about improving transit? What about more attention to road maintenance for things such as making curbs more stroller and wagon friendly? Couldn't we take some of that parking lot space at rec centres and other public gathering places and create a secure stroller and wagon parking area instead? What about government remuneration for employers who support telecommuting? There are so many things that can be done to encourage individuals to drive less. For those who have to drive, what about some kind of carpool tax credit?
Instead, our government imposes a tax that increases hardship for so many people, creating a negative attitude towards the best of green intentions. If attitude is a precursor to change, then a different approach might reap better results.
I suppose it is one solution. There will be people forced to park their cars more because of the financial impact. Unfortunately human nature is such that sometimes people will only change when they have no alternative.
However, rather than alienating so many good people by tying their hands, from what was meant to be environmentally beneficial, could they not have tried to make our cities more "alternative transportation friendly" first?
Where are all the viable bike lanes? What about improving transit? What about more attention to road maintenance for things such as making curbs more stroller and wagon friendly? Couldn't we take some of that parking lot space at rec centres and other public gathering places and create a secure stroller and wagon parking area instead? What about government remuneration for employers who support telecommuting? There are so many things that can be done to encourage individuals to drive less. For those who have to drive, what about some kind of carpool tax credit?
Instead, our government imposes a tax that increases hardship for so many people, creating a negative attitude towards the best of green intentions. If attitude is a precursor to change, then a different approach might reap better results.
Gas, Gas, and more $$$ Gas
I have an advantage here. I am afraid to drive.
It all started back in the late 80's when my Honda Prelude was rear-ended, and effectively converted to a hatchback (oops). There were several other accidents, all but one being the fault of the other driver. I started getting a little leery of being behind the wheel.
Now I walk everywhere. It adds to my husband's "chore" list in that he has to do the grocery shopping, but it saves us in gas and auto insurance because we only operate one vehicle. (Have you ever wanted to do the right thing but weren't motivated enough? Well my fear of driving solves that problem for me and makes it easy for me to "go green on foot".)
There are many, many additional upsides, health and environmental consciousness being two. I'm a lot fitter than many 41 year old Moms I know, all without paying for a gym membership. I honestly don't think about the environmental impact that often, unless I'm standing at a busy intersection at rush hour, noticing the unpleasant fumes.
I'm happy to report that many of my daughter's classmates also come to school on foot... until it rains. I wonder, with the current fuel price trends, if my "walk at all costs mentality", will have more in common with the mainstream.
I'm constantly hearing such (well meaning, of course) comments as "you're such a trouper", "I don't know how you do it" and "poor you, out in that rain". Meanwhile as I feel the health benefits and watch the fuel crisis unfold, I'm secretly grateful for those car accidents all those years ago.
It all started back in the late 80's when my Honda Prelude was rear-ended, and effectively converted to a hatchback (oops). There were several other accidents, all but one being the fault of the other driver. I started getting a little leery of being behind the wheel.
Now I walk everywhere. It adds to my husband's "chore" list in that he has to do the grocery shopping, but it saves us in gas and auto insurance because we only operate one vehicle. (Have you ever wanted to do the right thing but weren't motivated enough? Well my fear of driving solves that problem for me and makes it easy for me to "go green on foot".)
There are many, many additional upsides, health and environmental consciousness being two. I'm a lot fitter than many 41 year old Moms I know, all without paying for a gym membership. I honestly don't think about the environmental impact that often, unless I'm standing at a busy intersection at rush hour, noticing the unpleasant fumes.
I'm happy to report that many of my daughter's classmates also come to school on foot... until it rains. I wonder, with the current fuel price trends, if my "walk at all costs mentality", will have more in common with the mainstream.
I'm constantly hearing such (well meaning, of course) comments as "you're such a trouper", "I don't know how you do it" and "poor you, out in that rain". Meanwhile as I feel the health benefits and watch the fuel crisis unfold, I'm secretly grateful for those car accidents all those years ago.
Rising Gas Prices and Electric Cars
The recent suggestion by automakers to Ottawa to raise gas prices to cut emissions won't work unless an alternative to the pricey fuel is available.
What about either changing the rules applying to electric cars or manufacturing these cars to go faster? Another alternative could be to reduce speed limits everywhere to accommodate the 40 km cars. Although that option wouldn't go over well initially, once consumers enjoyed the savings in fuel costs there might be a different prevailing opinion. Not only that, there might be a safety benefit to a slower speed limit maximum.
Just my two cents for today...
What about either changing the rules applying to electric cars or manufacturing these cars to go faster? Another alternative could be to reduce speed limits everywhere to accommodate the 40 km cars. Although that option wouldn't go over well initially, once consumers enjoyed the savings in fuel costs there might be a different prevailing opinion. Not only that, there might be a safety benefit to a slower speed limit maximum.
Just my two cents for today...
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