Businesses that offer flexible working options can expect to improve their recruitment performance, as well as their workforce’s motivation and productivity, according to the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Brendan Barber.

Speaking ahead of the UK’s National Work From Home Day, which takes place on May 18th, Mr Barber suggested that British employees are increasingly keen to take advantage of options that allow them to do their jobs from home.

Indeed, pointing to figures collected by the government the TUC spokesperson claimed that there are around five million people working in the UK who want to move to a more flexible arrangement in terms of when and where they operate professionally.

‘The quality of working life is rapidly becoming an important issue for many working people. A growing number of employees want more flexibility about when and where they work," he said.

"Employers who can meet this demand for different ways of working will gain valuable benefits," he concluded.

The National Work From Home Day taking place this month has been organisaed by the not-for-profit organisation Work Wise UK and has received the backing of BT and Transport for London.