According to a new study, those workers who have the opportunity to take a more flexible approach to their work are far happier.

The research, carried out by ComRes, showed that freelance workers and those working from home scored far higher on the happiness scale, in terms of their health, finances and even their love lives.

Instead of the common belief that people were forced to become freelance due to 'adverse circumstances,' the study found that increasing numbers of people are taking this route by choice.

Freelancers scored 3.79 for general happiness on the study's scale, at which five is the maximum, while the general public scored 3.60.

Of the 1,624 polled, 73 per cent of them reported that they have actively chosen to become freelancers as part of a long-term career plan.

John Brazier, managing director of PCG said, “The results confirm more and more people see freelancing as a conscious career choice and it is encouraging to see their worth, skill and flexibility is appreciated and seen as a necessity by businesses throughout the UK.”

The study also revealed that 64 per cent of companies reported that the 'traditional nine to five day' did not apply to many of their staff members.