More than 41 million employees globally will use teleworking for at least one day a week throughout 2008, according to analyst Gartner.

But so far this has not been enough to prompt businesses to make formal plans for creating and maintaining virtual offices.

By demonstrating commitment to improving employee experience, businesses will be granted more loyalty, according to Andrew Walker, research director for Gartner CIO Research Group.

“Most enterprises do not have a formal plan for virtual office environments and usually support the concept on an ad hoc basis, but these do not realise the advantages of recruitment branding and a well-planned transition."

"A more formal approach demonstrates to new recruits that the business is willing to make a long-term commitment to work/life balance, which is key to employee satisfaction and retention.”

Meanwhile, BT Business has created an expert panel to offer small businesses a toolkit of advice on managing remote working in response to new research.

Although 74 per cent of small and medium-sized UK firms are using remote working in some way, a BT Business report revealed that 47 per cent of managers in small businesses are struggling to monitor the performance of remote and home workers. And 88 per cent have not been formally trained in managing home workers.

Among its findings, the panel has agreed that while environmental concerns will be a key driver of remote working, businesses need to be convinced of the financial rewards before they risk change.