Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Governor Beshear Announces Initiatives To Help State Employees Battle Rising Fuel Costs.
Recognizing the financial burden imposed by escalating gas prices, Gov. Steve Beshear today announced two initiatives designed to help state employees and their families with rising costs.
The governor introduced a new carpooling web site that will link commuting state employees, and he encouraged a more aggressive push toward flexible work hours throughout state government.
“Families across Kentucky are looking for relief. We must be responsive and we must be innovative,” Gov. Beshear said. “These two initiatives are creative and cheap. They will not only help our employees cut costs, but also by reducing driving time, they will help decrease fuel consumption, carbon emissions and highway congestion.”
The CarpoolKY Web site is thought to be the first of its kind for state governments across the nation. It will provide a safe and secure venue for state employees to connect with other state employees who are potential ride partners. Interested commuters can access the Web site at www.kentucky.gov/carpool.
The flexible work options already exist through Personnel Cabinet regulations. Gov. Beshear, though, has asked Cabinet secretaries and other agency heads to take a closer look at implementing a voluntary flexible schedule for employees whose duties would allow it.
The governor emphasized the flexible work options initiative will not affect delivery of services. The initiative also will not reduce operating hours for various offices nor reduce the quality of service provided to the public.
“Kentucky state government will remain open for business on the same schedule it operates on today,” he said.
The Personnel Cabinet provides an online tool to illustrate how various options can be put into practice. Managers can access that Web site at http://personnel.ky.gov/csi/flexworkoptions.htm.
Record-high gas prices are hurting families across the commonwealth. That pain is especially acute for Kentucky state government workers who commute long distances to work every day. Some 56 percent of executive branch state employees who work in Frankfort live outside Franklin County. That accounts for nearly 6,000 employees. Fifty-five percent of those commuters live at least two counties away.
The governor introduced a new carpooling web site that will link commuting state employees, and he encouraged a more aggressive push toward flexible work hours throughout state government.
“Families across Kentucky are looking for relief. We must be responsive and we must be innovative,” Gov. Beshear said. “These two initiatives are creative and cheap. They will not only help our employees cut costs, but also by reducing driving time, they will help decrease fuel consumption, carbon emissions and highway congestion.”
The CarpoolKY Web site is thought to be the first of its kind for state governments across the nation. It will provide a safe and secure venue for state employees to connect with other state employees who are potential ride partners. Interested commuters can access the Web site at www.kentucky.gov/carpool.
The flexible work options already exist through Personnel Cabinet regulations. Gov. Beshear, though, has asked Cabinet secretaries and other agency heads to take a closer look at implementing a voluntary flexible schedule for employees whose duties would allow it.
The governor emphasized the flexible work options initiative will not affect delivery of services. The initiative also will not reduce operating hours for various offices nor reduce the quality of service provided to the public.
“Kentucky state government will remain open for business on the same schedule it operates on today,” he said.
The Personnel Cabinet provides an online tool to illustrate how various options can be put into practice. Managers can access that Web site at http://personnel.ky.gov/csi/flexworkoptions.htm.
Record-high gas prices are hurting families across the commonwealth. That pain is especially acute for Kentucky state government workers who commute long distances to work every day. Some 56 percent of executive branch state employees who work in Frankfort live outside Franklin County. That accounts for nearly 6,000 employees. Fifty-five percent of those commuters live at least two counties away.
# posted by Joe Kinzer @ 5:11 PM 
