SCOTT TWP, Lawrence County — When gas prices climbed this summer, the owner of Castle Cheese knew he had to help his employees.

Because most workers show up 10 to 15 minutes early for their shifts, owner George Myrter felt he owed it to them to give them some extra help.

Also, the cheese-making company is on a somewhat remote stretch of Route 19 with a Slippery Rock address, and he knew many employees don't live nearby. Castle Cheese opened in 1985 and has 67 employees, 40 of whom are full-time. The company produces cheese alternatives that have less calories, or are lactate-free, according to Lyn Moore, administrative manager.

His effort started with an unplanned raise, then he began passing out gas cards.

About 25 employees in the production department, who get paid every other week, now get a $50 gas card on the weeks that there is no paycheck. They also are the only workers paid hourly rather than salary, Moore said.

"It's pretty hard for people who get paid every two weeks to stretch those dollars to the weeks they don't get paid," Myrter said. "It's an opportunity to fill their gas tanks and kind of gives them a boost."

Myrter started giving out the Sheetz gas cards in June. Many people since then have called him crazy, he said. He disagrees.

"My employees do everything for me and they deserve every opportunity," he said.

Employee Mike Jackson of New Castle, a laborer, said the gas cards "definitely come in handy."

When he tells friends about the new perks, they're always surprised and jealous, he said. As for Jackson, he doesn't take it for granted.

"I just thank him any time I see him," Jackson said of Myrter.

Dan Honneffer uses the gas cards to travel to and from Pittsburgh with his son, who has a rare childhood form of cancer. Honneffer of Ellwood City has worked for the company for 17 years and wasn't surprised by the gas cards.

"(Myrter)'s a good guy," he said.

When Honneffer's son was 3 years old and just diagnosed with cancer, Myrter picked up the check for a family trip to Disney World, he said.

"I couldn't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it," Honneffer said of his boss' generosity.

Representatives from the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and Butler County Career Link have not heard of any other companies in the Butler County area that are giving gas cards to employees. Career Link helps to find jobs for people, working with about 900 employers in the area.

Peggy Weckerly, site administrator at Career Link, said she knew of a few companies that have shifted from five to four-day work weeks. Employees work four 10-hour days to save on gas costs one day, she said.

There are some companies that have allowed part-time employees to consolidate days to save on travel time, she said.

Weckerly did not name those companies because of confidentiality rules.