Gasoline prices are up about a dollar a gallon in most of Texas, but that's already good reason for some people to start working from home.
As of April 19th, the national average for a gallon of regular gas was $4.04, compared with about $2.98 just before the war in Iran began February 28th.
That brings up an issue that's been put aside for a couple of years: It costs more to get to and from work, so more employees are asking to work from home in order to make up for the losses in their personal budgets.
Julie Jones, CEO of Today'sProfessionals.com, says it's a dilemma for these days when, unlike three years ago, there are not a zillion job openings.
"Many employees are wondering, how do I get compensated for [increased commuter costs]? Which means, this is a new problem."
People learned to work at home during the pandemic, but back then most people were forced to stay at home, and concerns about what it costs to even get work is sparking new concerns -- and requiring creative solutions.
"Some companies that I know of are drawing a radius, and saying if you live outside the radius, like 30 miles or more away from the office, if you live that far away you're considered 'remote'."
And unlike requirements during the Covid crisis, allowing employees to work from home now really tests the flexibility of employers.
"What I'm finding is, this is all a big dance," she says, "and we're all trying to figure it out."