The trend towards home-based working within companies across Britain is an inevitable process, according to the chief executive of Work Wise UK Phil Flaxton.

Mr Flaxton’s organisation is aiming to encourage the introduction of so-called smarter working practices, such as home-based working and he is convinced that in years to come businesses will not be able to resist the benefits it can bring.

He said: "The culture of ‘presenteeism’ where management require staff and employees to be at the place of work to be considered working, is an anachronism from the 19th century."

"To overcome this, managers need to have access to more up-to-date training."

Part of the impetus behind the trend to remote and home-based working will be provided by the scale of China’s economic growth and the consequences of global business competition, Mr Flaxton suggests.

In May of this year, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health announced its support for the efforts of Work Wise UK to promote smarter working practices.