While some businesses are suggesting that working from home might not be for them, one consultant has stated that most companies could offer more flexibility to their employees and reap the benefits themselves.

Fiona Severs, of business consultancy Lexington Gray, told the Daily Record that there are positives and negatives to the concept, but ultimately co-operation can bring benefits. "It works when both sides are prepared to be flexible," she said. "It falls down if people feel it's their right to work flexibly and haven't given proper thought to the needs of the business and how their work pattern will impact on colleagues, managers, clients and their ability to do their job to the best of their ability."

When things go right, businesses can "reduce overheads" and see "improvements in morale, loyalty, productivity and profits". Organisations that offer flexible working and work from home options become "employers of choice and they win the war for talent".

It is important to keep some face-to-face time wherever possible, however, to ensure that people are on the same page. But ultimately, once a balance has been found, it should be possible for both employers and employees to derive great benefits from working from home.