More than three-quarters (83%) of respondents would use flexible-working options if they were made available to them, according to research by the Centre for Economics and Business research (CEBR).
The study, commissioned by mobile workplace solutions organisation Citrix, found that 96% of ‘knowledge workers’, which the CEBR defines ad ‘thinking jobs’ such as engineers, lawyers and doctors, that have access to flexible-working arrangements actually utilise these.
It also found that 94% of this group of respondents would opt to work from home for two days of the working week on average.
In addition, just under two-thirds (60%) of part-time respondents would be inclined to work more hours if given the opportunity to work remotely.
The research found that flexible-working policies could add £11.5 billion a year to the UK economy, while flexible working could also save staff £7.1 billion on travel expenses.
Jacqueline de Rojas, northern Europe area vice president at Citrix, said: “Over recent years, many organisations have become firm advocates of the benefits of flexible working and this study verifies the impact such a culture can bring to the wider UK economy.
“Technology now enables us to work from anywhere, at any time. It is time to move on from judging workers on how long they spend at their desks to evaluating them on the work they actually deliver.
“By realising that employees do not have to be in the office from nine to five, employers will reap the benefits of an even more productive, contented workforce, and as illustrated here, reach a new, untapped pool of talent in the process.”
