More than one in three people would like the option of working from home according to a poll conducted by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).
Research into flexible working found that out of 293 people, 36 per cent liked the idea of home work but just 9.8 per cent had contracts that would allow it.
Diana Bruce, senior policy liaison officer at the CIPP, said that although the publishing of the Modern Workplaces consultation in May includes provisions for flexible working to be extended to all employees, a proposed reduction on the regulation of businesses could see the plans scrapped.
She added: “When the changes to legislation do take place, it should be remembered that it will remain a right to request, as opposed to any kind of right to work flexibly.”
Communications retailer O2 is one company that is keen to push flexible working and has recently made an agreement for working parents in conjunction with website Mumsnet.
The scheme allows between two and four working parents to join together and arrange shifts that will allow those not working to cope with family matters such as schools runs and emergencies.