Recent research has found that the vast majority of new mothers and women are keen to work from home.

Conducted by Friends Life, the survey found that around 88 per cent of working women would like to be able to alter their working hours for the sake of their family, however, they remain concerned that this would affect their career prospects in the future.

Furthermore, many working mothers stated that they are offered options such as subsidised childcare, a shorter working week or the ability to work from home far less than they would like. As a result of restrictions such as these, over half (51 per cent) or working mothers who have taken maternity leave agree that the financial cost of childcare make it not worth returning to work.

Maggie Berry, managing director of womenintechnology.co.uk, commented on the findings: “An employer's willingness to offer flexible working often comes down to the attitude of individual managers. We need to move to a position where all employers, large or small and across all sectors, are prepared to help women struggling to juggle the demands of their work and home lives.”

“However,” she added, “women need to be realistic too. They must understand there will be compromise on both sides, and their employer may not be in a position to give them exactly what they ask for.”