Los Angeles Times columnist, David Lazarus, ponders what life in Los Angeles would be like without suffering through commutes that take days off your life and gas bills that put expensive purchases to shame. He concludes that while public transportation only does so much--especially in a city like Los Angeles--perhaps it's time for employers and employees to consider telecommuting and working from home.

According to an American Electronics Association report in April 2008, an estimated 1.35 billion gallons of fuel could be saved if all Americans who could telework, did so 1.6 days per week. So not only would that spare the atmosphere billions of pounds of carbon dioxide, but that would mean fewer people on the roads and less frightful commutes.

Some employees will be bold enough to ask for telecommuting options, however according to Tom Abate from the San Francisco Chronicle there's an advantage to business owners initiating the move toward more at-home-work: lower office occupancy costs and better retention of key employees. Making work easier (and cheaper) for your employees may mean more efficiency. Phones with QWERTY keyboards and Wi-Fi connectivity also allow employees to spend less time in the office or on the road, and more time getting stuff done.--Whitney Chen