SMEs are failing to offer workers the chance to work from home, a new report suggests.

A study from remote working firm Citrix Online shows that just 40 per cent of SMEs allow employees to work from home, compared to 76 per cent of large companies.

And larger companies are also much more likely to let workers adjust start and finish times. They are additionally four times more likely to permit job sharing schemes.

The reason why SMEs are shying away from home working schemes is the perceived technology costs, according to the research.

"Perhaps SMEs should consider instead the considerable benefits smarter working has upon their own staff and employees in terms of well being, work-life balance and health, all paid for by the significant resulting increases in productivity," David Lennan, chairman of Work Wise UK, commented.

"The wider benefits to the economy will certainly follow as more and more SMEs make the move towards more progressive working practices."