When given the option employees prefer flexible hours to a flexible location, with 44 per cent of workers saying that being able to get work done with no distractions is the biggest appeal to flexible working.
Less traffic is a close second with some 40 per cent citing that reason, according to a report by Powwownow.
More than 50 per cent of workers in the UK say that they would work the same hours (9-5) if they were able to work from home.
However they also report that they would take fewer breaks when working flexibly, raising the question of whether the employer would be getting more for their money.
Jason Downes, managing director at Powwownow says that flexible working is becoming a necessity within our working lives, with companies needing to embrace this in order to remain competitive.
‘The days of the 9-5 are really coming to end and more and more people are choosing to work flexibly, communication in that case is key in order to keep the normal flow of the working day,’ he adds.
‘Employers have really embraced flexible working with over 77 per cent saying that it leads to a better work life balance and more motivated staff; this will therefore increase productivity within the workforce.
Women tend to ask for flexible working more than men, as they would like to spend more time with children, Downes says.
Women bosses also tend to be less trusting when an employee asks for flexible working. The IT sector is the most popular industry to work flexibly with over 68 per cent saying that they do so.
Further reading on flexible working
