AMERSHAM, UK: A new study, “Worldwide Workplace: The Web Commuting Imperative”, reveals how UK small business owners are recognising the role of flexible working practices in business, with almost two-thirds (62 per cent) actively supporting remote working. The independent research, commissioned by Citrix Online, also shows 84 per cent believe offering flexible hours is essential to running a successful business, with 46 per cent stating flexible hours as the key to attracting and retaining the best talent.

The study also shows that 39 per cent of small business owners would allow employees to work away from the office if they requested the option, which bodes well for the additional 4.5 million parents who now have the right to apply for flexible working following the introduction of new government legislation on April 6.

Small business owners are keen to adopt flexible working and Web Commuting – using Internet to work from anywhere - personally, with 62 per cent stating they would like the opportunity to work remotely, with the top benefit being the ability to have more control over their day, according to 43 per cent of respondents. They also recognised the benefits of Web Commuting for their employees, identifying greater job satisfaction as the key overall benefit, with 67 per cent agreeing that Web Commuting would appeal to their employees.

The study reveals small business owners are keen to pass on these benefits, with 39 per cent saying they will allow employees to Web commute if they requested it. Other occasions included family emergencies (46 per cent), personal illness (45 per cent) and bad weather (39 per cent). 

Of those small business owners who required employees to travel, 63 per cent are willing to allow employees to participate in online meetings, rather than travel for in-person meetings, recognising increased productivity (26 per cent) and reduced expenses (19 per cent) as the single most important benefit.

The appeal of Web Commuting among the surveyed workers is also evident, with 61 per cent stating they would like the ability to work remotely, away from the office, in their current or next job. One out of five respondents also said they would take a pay cut in order to work remotely and more flexibly.