As snow hits the UK and severe weather warnings are issued for the weeks ahead, remote working specialists are urging employers to facilitate homeworking for their staff, thereby helping to avoid the risk of the cold snap impinging on companies' productivity.

In addition, Aastra's general manager for the UK and Ireland notes, by enabling staff to work from home firms can prevent considerable losses of earnings – and the possibility of giving competitors the upper hand.

The unified communications organisation's Michael Calvert cites a recent campaign carried out on microblogging site Twitter which identified the proliferation of regions around the UK where individuals are being given "the necessary tools and technology" to perform their jobs effectively, regardless of their location.

"Last February we saw businesses lose out on somewhere between £1 million and £3 million as a result of the heavy snows across the country – after this very difficult year, it is just not an option for businesses to have to face the same kinds of loses," he states.

"Organisations must ensure that they have the technology in place to enable remote working practices and policies in place so that they can continue with business as usual."