A review of scientific evidence has found flexible working not only benefits people’s family life, but is also good for their physical and mental health.

The review, conducted by researchers at the Wolfson Research Institute based at Durham University, stated workers who have control over their working hours enjoy better health because they are less stressed and get more rest. It found mental health, blood pressure, and sleep patterns were better among people who could determine their own working hours.

In contrast, fixed-term contracts and other situations where working conditions were determined by the employer had no benefits for health, with one study showing fixed working hours had a negative effect on mental wellbeing.

In Britain, all parents with children under 16 now have the right to request flexible working. This can include scheduling hours around school times, working from home, job sharing or averaging hours out over a year.

Clare Bambra, the lead reviewer in today’s research, believes the findings certainly give employers and employees something to think about.

She adds, “Flexible working seems to be more beneficial for health and wellbeing where the individuals control their own work patterns, rather than where employers are in control.”

The Department for Work and Pensions has put family-friendly support at the heart of our reforms because it knows that both individuals and businesses have a lot to gain from flexible working.

A spokesperson says, “Many employers already routinely offer far more flexible work than they did ten years ago – recent figures show that 92 per cent are now prepared to accept a request from any employee.”

These figures are certainly encoruaging and once organisations become more aware of the benefits for both employer and employee, it seems flexible working will continue to grow.

Find out more about flexible working technology at the Interchange Group.

As featured on Telegraph.co.uk.