A full three-quarters of British adults see the option of working flexibly as a deciding factor when it comes to making a career choice, according to new research.

Figures complied by Future Labs for Microsoft show that most employees would now prefer to work at home if they could and more than 90 per cent indicate that they would rather not operate from within a traditional office environment.

The study also highlights the fact that businesses can reduce their carbon footprint by allowing staff to work from home and suggests that by 2012 there is likely to be more than 5.5 million out-of-office workers around the country.

James McCarthy from Microsoft Windows Mobile commented: "Mobile working is all about being liberated, having more control over your day and at last more freedom in your life."

"Ultimately, work should not be a place you go, but a thing you do," he added.

A recent report from the Malaysia Star news service suggested that working from home is becoming increasingly popular among businesses and employees in China.