According to a review of ten research studies, involving more than 16,000 people, workers who have control over their working hours enjoy better health because they are less stressed and get more rest.

The review, conducted by researchers at the Wolfson Research Institute based at Durham University, and published by the Cochrane Library, found mental health, blood pressure, and sleep patterns were better among people who could determine their own working hours.

By contrast, fixed-term contracts and other situations were working conditions were determined by the employer had no benefits for health. One study even showed fixed working hours had a negative effect on mental wellbeing.

For employers, flexi-time can actually boost profitability and generally improve the attitude of staff benefiting from a better work-life balance.

Jake Gordon, owner of Allyearbooks.co.uk, says his company has an extremely flexible attitude towards working hours. ‘If someone doesn’t feel very productive, they don’t have to come in.

Instead they can do a couple of hours in the evening. We don’t like having people just sitting there knowing they have to be at work until 5 o’clock. I think the benefits to staff is an improved work/life balance and reduced levels of stress, and for us a more productive working environment.

Anyone can ask their employer for flexi-time, but the law provides some employees with the statutory right to request a flexible working pattern, including parents with children under 16.

By law, an employer must seriously consider any application made, and only reject if there is a seriously good business reason for doing so. Employees have the right to ask for flexible working, not the right to have it.

Flexible working can include scheduling hours around school times, working from home, job sharing or averaging hours out over a year.

For more information about flexible working, visit: www.direct.gov.uk/betterfuture, or ask me on Twitter http://twitter.com/AccountsAssist.