Work Wise UK, a not for profit organisation whose aim is to encourage smarter working practices, welcomed a new report from the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) looking at flexible working, and reinforced its call for the UK to adopt new innovative smarter working practices. The report highlights that in terms of flexible working, one form of smarter working, the UK is significantly lagging behind its European competitors and is failing to exploit innovative working methods.

At the EOC launch of the report, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, the leader of the opposition, called for organisations, both public and private, to make flexible working available for all employees. This is putting pressure on the government to legislate to extend current flexible working rights for employees.

Phil Flaxton, Work Wise UK's chief executive said: "Although there has been progress in the adoption of innovative working styles, this report highlights we have a long way to go. The percentage of companies practising flexi-time in our competitors Germany and Sweden at 90% are almost double that of the UK at just 48%, and in the case of teleworking Germany, Sweden and Denmark are double, 40% of employers, compared to 20% in the UK."

"This is a wake up call to employers who if they continue current archaic nine to five working practices, will not only miss out on productivity gains, but risk government legislation."

EOC's report follows a recent International Labour Organisation (ILO) survey revealing a quarter of UK employees work more than 48 hours per week, more than any other developed country.

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