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Advancement in technology has given small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to offer flexible working patterns to its employees, according to a working practices advisory service.

Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, has said that technology is 'an enabler' without which it would be impossible to implement homeworking schemes as successfully.

He added: 'If there hadn't been the development in new technology over the last three to four years, with broadband and mobile technology being what it is, more and more of the working population could not do this; five or six years ago it wasn't possible.'

Flexible working is becoming more and more popular, with homeworkers freeing up office space in businesses, allowing the recruitment of more staff without the expansion of the office.

It is also good for the environment and employee's finances as staff do not have to make the journey into work, according to Work Wise UK.

The right to request flexible working was introduced in 2003 and figures from the Department for Trade and Industry show that 52 per cent of employees are aware of the right to work from home, with 13 per cent of all staff asking to work from home since the introduction of the right.

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