The thousands of home-based workers operating in the UK could soon be keeping in touch with their colleagues through advanced videoconferencing technology, recent reports have suggested.

Home-based workers are happier than their office-bound counterparts, according to an analysis of research carried out by the recruitment company Kenexa.

Information systems company Volvo IT has lined up a communications solution that should enable it staff to work outside the office and in some cases from home, according to reports.

A new report has concluded that potential productivity gains is the main driving force behind the increased implementation of home-based working practices for companies around the world.

Cheshire County Council has successfully expanded its drive to encourage and enable home-based working among its employees, according to reports.

A number of firms based in the US are increasingly employing staff that are willing and able to work from their own homes, according to reports.

Proposals put forward by a Conservative Party review would damage the progress made towards flexible working in the UK if they were implemented, it has been claimed.

A new survey has suggested that employees in the UK have become less satisfied with their working environment over the course of the past 12 months.

Out-of-office operating is not a passing phenomena and workers are "home to stay", it has been claimed.

The issue of whether employees are able to establish the kind of work-life balance they want is becoming a more important one to consider for business bosses in Australia, it has been suggested.