IT professionals in the US are increasingly turning to teleworking as opportunities to do so become available, according to recent research.

A full 44 per cent of the chief information officers polled by Robert Half Technology said their company had increased its implementation of teleworking practices or they had remained at around the same level during past five years.

The study involved more than 1,400 IT experts from firms with over 100 employees, with productivity gains and enhanced recruitment capacity among the major driving factors behind the increase in out of office and home-based operating for IT staff.

"For some, working from home on occasion can result in greater productivity because there are fewer interruptions than in the office," said Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology.

"Many IT professionals also appreciate not having to commute every day given today’s high gasoline prices."

A report released by the Equal Opportunities Committee earlier this week suggested that women are more likely than men to be given the chance to work from home in the UK.