Bosses from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the UK have suggested that maintaining communications between employers and staff can help make the most of home-based working.

A number of employers told a survey carried out by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) that home-based working can bring significant operational benefits when it is monitored and managed effectively.

Doncaster-based legal services firm PI Costing said it found the biggest challenge relating to home-based working was ensuring that staff did not come to feel like outsiders and noted that flexible working has made their recruitment processes easier.

Commenting on his experience of homeworking for PI Costing, Ian Moxon said: "[It's] worth its weight in gold, I don’t have the expense of commuting to work and I have more leisure time."

The BCC is among a host of prominent organisations in the UK backing the Work Wise UK campaign to promote flexible working around the country.