According to a survey of more than 600 senior decision makers by research company YouGov, some 77 per cent do not allow their staff to work from home.

Of this percentage, more than four fifths (85 per cent) say they need their employees to be physically onsite, while 12 per cent do not have the technology to allow home working.

Some 11 percent of those who prohibit home working say it is because they believe their staff would be less productive.

However, of the 23 per cent who do allow flexibility, 60 per cent say it increases productivity. Motivated staff (60 per cent) and better relationships with employees (58 per cent) are other recognised benefits.