Americans spend more than 100 hours a year commuting to work. It goes without saying that those hours on the road burn up gas and cash!

There is a silver lining. Those high gas prices are also fueling a new perk at work.

Think about it: Retirement plans, medical coverage, and even daycare and workout facilities are all welcome benefits at the office. Leading human resource expert John Challenger of Challenger, Gray and Christmas says employees are now asking for a little more.

"Workers are coming in to their bosses and H.R. and asking, 'What can you do to help me get cross town? My commute is just too expensive and too long.' More companies are now responding," Challenger explains.

A new survey finds that 57% of companies are offering at least one program to help ease the cost of commuting. Challenger's company conducted the survey.

"Employee retention, even with unemployment rising, is a crucial issue for employers. They can't afford to lose their best people," Challenger explains.

The most popular gas-saving benefit: A condensed workweek. For instance, four 10-hour days.

"Just that one extra day off from having to commute in and out of work is a big savings," Challenger says.

Also topping the list: Organized carpools, subsidized public transportation, and telecommuting. Health care provider Humana employs 18,000 people nationwide. Now more than 10% of its staff works from home at least one day a week. Nate Kvamme works for the company.

"It's a great way to give people an alternative, to give a quality of life, and we feel that that's very important to employees," Kvamme points out.

In some locations, Humana staff can also ride public buses free, or even sign out a bicycle provided by the company.

"Whether they want to use it to commute to work, or if they want to take it to a meeting or to lunch. And all we ask is that you bring it back the next business day," Kvamme says.

Brian Mitchell checks out a bike nearly every day to get to and from work.

"It's kind of almost turned into a game where I never even drive my car. So, I'm filling up very rarely," Brian says.

By cycling to and from the office, Brian estimates he's saving around $250 a month on gas.

"It's made a huge difference on our budget. It's a really great program," he adds.

What if your company doesn't offer gas-saving benefits yet? Challenger says be aggressive. "Sit down, talk to human resources. Let them know your feelings. Maybe you can work something out individually. Maybe you need to go in in numbers and say to your boss, 'How can you help us?'"

Biking has really helped Brian. Not only has it slimmed down his gas bill...but his waistline too!

"I've lost ten pounds!" he exclaims.

The survey also found some companies are offering employees gas card prizes, monthly transportation stipends, shuttle services and sometimes are even subsidizing gas costs.