Companies in the north-east of England have been urged to introduce more flexible working practices in order to compete more effectively with rival firms around the world, according to reports.

The Work Wise North-East organisation is keen to see businesses in the region get the most out of their staff by allowing them to work from home and under more flexible circumstances, reports the Journal.

"Even a limited change in working practices and culture will lead to increased business productivity and competitiveness, improve health, harmonise work and family commitments, reduce traffic, ease congestion and help the environment," Simon Robertson, chair of Work Wise North-East, told the newspaper.

Local law firm EEF Northern has backed the Work Wise campaign and suggests that by introducing flexible working practices, its employees have been able to establish a healthier work-life balance.

Consumer goods company Proctor & Gamble, which has operations in the north-east and around the world, recently pledged its support for flexible working and the Work Wise North-East initiative.