Some of the world’s biggest multinational companies have backed the practice of allowing staff to work from home as a way of improving productivity, according to reports.

A number of corporate executives at a seminar in Hong Kong recently indicated that this and other flexible working opportunities can help their employees achieve a better work life balance.

Bosses from oil giant BP, as well as the Dutch mail firm TNT, were in attendance, while Sun Microsystems representatives made clear that allowing for home-based working is helping its business attract the most sought after professional talent, Reuters reports.

Many of the experts in attendance agreed that introducing flexible working practices can serve to motivate staff, while increasing their morale and productivity.

Earlier this week, the former director general of the Confederation of British Industry Sir Digby Jones suggested UK businesses ought to "come out of the dark ages" and embrace "smarter" working practices, including home-based operating.