Does flexible working offer a way to survive economic recession? It might seem an odd question when companies are shedding jobs or freezing recruitment and asking staff to take on bigger workloads. Yet a suggestion last month that the UK government might hold off extending flexible work rights to help business cope with the downturn provoked sharp protests from unions, political opponents, working parents and equality groups.

Supporters of extending flexible working argue that there are plenty of reasons to give it serious consideration during a downturn, including increased productivity, retention of key people and potential cost savings. What is more, it is the way that growing numbers of people are working, or want to work.