WHat would be the fallout of being late to work?

My commute's a paltry 7 miles ... but the fact is that if, say, my shoe gets eaten up by my front wheel and I have to stop and make it regurgitate it, I can call in and it's completely no big deal.

How much time does it take? I know lots of people have 1-2 hour commutes in their cars. I know a 20 mile ride is somethign I could do pretty much any old time...
... but unless it's a really really good deal I'd look for a house closer in, honestly.