Business owners in North Wales are being urged to find more ways to allow their employees to work from home.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) recently found that less than a quarter of staff working in small businesses in Wales have flexible working hours, with one-in-five small companies encouraging working from home. This compares unfavourably to the rest of the UK where 27 per cent of small firms encourage home working.

FSB Welsh policy Chair Janet Jones said small businesses are spearheading flexible working arrangements with more than half finding that accommodating employees schedules has a positive effect on employee relations.

Furthermore, employers see a reduction in the need for office space and the associated costs, can focus management thinking on employee outputs, and save overheads such as travel costs," she added.

North Wales chairman of the FSB, Gwyn Evans, said this could only be possible with improved IT infrastructure.

“The key is to continue to develop our knowledge economy in the region, along with a commitment to providing reliable fast broadband and other communication channels right across rural areas," he said.

“In particular, tackling the so-called broadband ‘not-spots’ needs to be a priority for the Welsh Assembly Government and communication providers.”