UK workers of all ages are demanding flexible working, according to a new study from communications specialist Teleware which also found that employees are actively turning down jobs that don’t offer flexible working.

Teleware’s study, based on research of 2,300 UK employees, found that 25% have turned down a job in the past for not offering flexible working. Meanwhile, 31% said they would actively turn down a job for not offering flexible working.

Although the proportion of those that have turned down jobs is higher amongst millennials (40%), nearly a third, or 29% of employees over 45 would turn down a job if flexible working options were not on offer.

Teleware states that despite the legal right to request flexible working, coupled with widespread technology on hand to enable a more mobile workforce, 29% of UK employees work for companies that operate flexible working programs for all. One in five companies only allowing those of a certain level of seniority to work flexibly. 

“This short-sighted practice is handicapping employers search for the best talent,” Teleware stated.

The study also stated that flexible working is important to employees of all ages. Those in the 25–34-year-old bracket are the most enthusiastic with 93% saying it’s important for them to be able to choose both the hours they work and the place they work from. For those aged 55 years and older, 82% still saying flexi-hours and ability to choose where they work is important to them.