Work-from-homers are more loyal, hard-working

A recent survey in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) may have found the secret to job happiness: work from home.

In the poll of about 10,000 U.S. workers, 73% of remote and home-based workers said they were satisfied with their company as a place to work. Only 64% of office workers could say that. The survey was conducted by the Kenexa Research Institute. There was other evidence of just how great working from home is for all parties involved:

• 53% of remote workers said they weren't considering leaving the company within 12 months. Only 46% of office workers said that.

• 54% of remote workers said there was "open, honest 2-way communication. 44% of office workers said that.

• 53% of telecommuters said they believed senior management speaks honestly, versus 44% of the office workers.

As someone who works from home, I can certainly see the benefits. Working in our own environments allows us to create the atmosphere that is most conducive to our success. For instance, right now, I'm listening to a CD that I would probably get shot for blasting in a cubicle. Working from home keeps workers happy and a happy worker is a good worker. The number of work-from-homers will continue to rise in the decades to come, particularly if we see more data demonstrating just what a good deal it is.