Telework Lonely Hearts

What if you never find that special someone? As teleworkers, we can always get a cat. Sure you get to slash your commuting cost, cut your stress, reduce your carbon footprint, and turbo charge your productivity - allowing you to get that next promotion. But, is it really worth it if you end up a telework lonely heart? As we enter National Work and Family Month, wouldn't it be ironic if your work habits got in the way of your ability to have a family?

You see, according to a Discovery Health Channel article, four out of 10 Americans meet their spouse at work - it worked for me. And, even if the altar's not everybody's dream destination today, office romance is alive and well. More than half respondents to Discovery's survey said they'd had a fling at the firm.

But, before you buy that cat and reach for the bonbons, consider these telework vital stats. What can you do with the hour you save a day by not commuting? In a year, you can:

• Earn an MBA 35 percent faster
• Read 25 books in a year
• Lose 60 pounds or train for a marathon
• Re-organize your garage 31 times

And, while Romeo and Juliet didn't see it this way, telework isn't an all-or-nothing proposition. Most people telework some days and go to the office others. You're slimmer -- presuming you use your time savings to go to the gym and don't overdo the bonbons -- more relaxed -- less traffic, less wrinkles -- and more affluent -- as you're more productive. Who wouldn't fall in love with telework?

Steve O'Keeffe is the executive director for Telework Exchange. For more information on telework and Telework Exchange, visit www.teleworkexchange.com.