While an all-consuming career can complicate relationships, the benefits of being married to your job can be significant. Singles often climb the corporate ladder more quickly and experience a greater sense of job security. Cattell, 56, director of online marketing for Cross Country Home Services in Sunrise, a home warranty provider, says over her career her devotion to her job has allowed her to travel the world, take overseas assignments and start two professional interactive marketing associations.

Richard Delio, 49, regional vice president at Zacks Investment Management in South Florida, says he too has experienced career and financial success because of the attention he gives to his job, particularly in the recession. “Socially, I find myself spending my free time with clients, going to fundraisers for their pet charities or going fishing with them. That doesn’t leave me time for [romantic] relationships. But with the volatility in the market, duty calls.”

Complicating matters, some managers still assume singles don’t have anything to do but work. This not only makes relationships difficult, it makes hobbies, volunteer work and exercise time a challenge, too.

Grace C. Lopez, office administrator at Weil, Gotshal & Manges in Miami, says she loves her job but squeezing her other passions into her schedule — in addition to a relationship — gets tricky. She balances long work hours, a leadership role in a professional association and her involvement in the Susan G. Komen Foundation. “I feel guilty because I realize that sometimes I’m not giving the time needed in a relationship.”

Cattell says that after a failed marriage, she’s now in a good relationship and thinks she’s figured out what works for her. “I’m blessed to be with a partner who is also married to the job. When I come home at midnight, I don’t have to explain where I’ve been.”

Workplace columnist Cindy Krischer Goodman is CEO of BalanceGal, a provider of news and advice on how to balance work and life. Email her at balancegal@gmail.com or visit worklifebalancingact.com