A new survey of nearly 2000 Orange small and medium business customers has revealed 88% of businesses now have the option to work away from the office; with 74% of those choosing to work from home or a flexible workspace.

Orange also found 82% of business owners claim that they can work just as well at home than in the office.

It seems this improved productivity – a result of flexible working, subsequently means that business owners can finish their work earlier with 55% of respondents working six hours or less a day due to higher motivation to finish and get on with personal lives.

Strikingly, the 26% who continue to regularly work in an office and said their average day lasted at least eight to nine hours.

This increasing workplace freedom has paved the way for new imaginative offices – with respondents citing the beach, a football ground, and even a barn at a diary farm as their alternative office.