Techies vote for flexible working

Flexible working is becoming increasingly important to IT workers as they realise the benefits for their work and home life, and employers have been warned they need to take it more seriously.

Nine out of 10 IT professionals would like the option to work flexible hours according to a survey by online recruiter TheITJobBoard.com.

Just over half of the 204 respondents said flexible working would improve their work/life balance, while one in eight said it would make them more productive at work.

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A quarter said they had even rejected a job offer where flexible working was not an option.

Although 46 per cent surveyed already work flexible hours, of those that don't 72 per cent have never been offered the choice - even though the vast majority of respondents said their role in the IT sector is particularly suited to flexible working.

Nearly half felt a request to their employers for flexible hours would be rebuffed, while around 10 per cent said it would see them branded as a troublemaker.