At an associate forum $,$ one associate asks if the HCO can add free parking as an employment benefit $.$ You reply : $"$ We try to keep the package competitive with other employment opportunities available to our employees $.$ No other local HCOs provide free parking $"$ Parking costs money $.$ We have to charge employees to cover our costs $."$ We try to add benefits that are useful to a large number of employees and don't give an advantage to some employees $.$ Many employees car $-$ pool or use public transportation As part of our energy conservation commitment $,$ we want to encourage car $-$ pooling and public transportation $,$ so we don't want to lower parking fees $.$