Researchers from Durham University have found that workplaces which offer employees a greater degree of flexibility can help to improve their health.

Clare Bambra, who led the research into the issue, said, "Control at work is good for health. Given the absence of ill health effects associated with employee-controlled flexibility and the evidence of some positive improvements in some health outcomes.

"More flexibility in work schedules has the potential to promote healthier workplaces and improve work practices," she added.

As workplaces can threaten the health of employees, in terms of stress resulting from high workloads or time pressures, anything that can help to aid the health of workers is a major positive.

As well as working from home and flexible working, the researchers also investigated how intervention by employers proved negative for workers' health.

These changes, which are motivated by the needs of the employer – and include cutting hours – can make employee health worse.

Amongst the employees considered in the review were those working in certain offices across the UK, USA, Germany, Finland, the Netherlands, Australia and Denmark.