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Half of employers that offer flexible working practices in their company have seen a noticeably positive impact on their bottom line, research from the Institute of Directors and Unum found.

Some 500 business leaders were polled in this joint collaboration to investigate the business case for flexible working and of the measured effects increased productivity, profitability, customer service, recruitment, retention, morale and team working featured highly.

Lower overhead costs and less absenteeism was also reported in the survey.

Miles Templeman, director general of the Institute of Directors, said: “What business does not need is the heavy hand of government when, as this survey shows, the business case is far more compelling and persuasive than regulation.”

Some 86 per cent of respondents said their firms already offered flexible working practices and 93 per cent of these said that would be the case if there were no legislative requirement.

Two-thirds said that the government’s plans to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of older children would have no significant impact on their organisation; only 26 per cent said it would adversely affect the business.

Susan Ring, chief executive of Unum, the disability insurer, said: “Flexible working has to become part of the company culture in order to work really well.

“As long as the customer is unaffected and the job gets done, then we consider most requests favourably.

“We make our policies clear at interview and induction so staff know what to expect and what is expected of them. We have improved staff loyalty, higher productivity and flexible working has enhanced our reputation with customers too.”