The rising financial burden of gas means employees are prioritizing flexibility.  

By Gillian Manning 

The average cost of gas nationally is about $1 more per gallon now than it was a year ago, with the average price per gallon exceeding $5 in some states, according to AAA. Americans are feeling the added pressure this applies to their wallets—and it’s affecting their work preferences. 

Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) of workers in an Indeed Flex survey say that rising gas prices have led them to take on more flexible work. The same percentage of workers also say that they’ve become more selective about the jobs they accept, and 66% report they’ve reduced how far they are willing to travel for work. 

“This is a clear shift in how people think about work,” said Novo Constare, CEO of Indeed Flex. “Flexible work is no longer just about earning extra income. For many, it is a reliable way to cover essential expenses and maintain financial stability, especially as everyday costs like gas continue to rise.” 

Indeed Flex’s report also found the following. 

• Roughly 71% of the workforce depends on flexible jobs for their main or secondary earnings, with 42% citing it as their biggest paycheck. 

• The majority use these earnings for daily necessities: 69% for food, 54% for fuel, and 34% for their monthly housing costs. 

• Just 4% of workers view their flexible work income as insignificant to their overall budget. 

• 50% of workers report that they would find it difficult or impossible to manage essential costs in the absence of flexible work arrangements. 

• 85% indicate that they would face financial repercussions if flexible work options were withdrawn. 

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