According to new research from the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), 52% of Londoners enjoy some sort of flexible working, 2% below the national average.

The research showed that, since 30 June 2014, all employees with 26 weeks' service have been entitled to request flexible working, but those in the capital are less likely to work flexibly than the rest of the UK, despite having longer commutes.

The CIPD, which is calling for the next Mayor of London to campaign for increased flexible working in the capital, found that 69% of Londoners who work flexibly are 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with their jobs, compared with 52% of those who don't work flexibly.

Meanwhile 24% of flexible workers living in London report being under excessive pressure every day or at least once or twice a week, compared to 42% of non-flexible workers. Almost a quarter of those working flexibly are 'very satisfied' with their work-life balance, 32% above their counterparts.

The survey comes four years after the London Olympics, which CIPD states was hoped would act as a catalyst for increasing flexible working, particularly among commuters.

“The London 2012 Olympics was supposed to have heralded a new dawn for flexible working in the capital, but progress appears to have stalled, significantly impacting on the quality of people’s working lives and their productivity," David D’Souza, head of CIPD London, said.

"As new generations enter the labour market with different expectations about how they want to work, and older generations stay in work longer, the rigid working habits too many employers still abide by will have to change. The next Mayor of London should work with employers and bodies like the CIPD to lead a campaign to change attitudes, learn from best practice and expand the types of flexible working available."

An analysis of 3.5 million job adverts earlier this year suggested that just 6.2% of those offering a full-time equivalent salary of £20,000 or more mentioned a degree of flexibility. London was rated the worst place to find flexible, well-paid work.

"The main driver of that, apart from roles where you can't work flexibly, is managerial resistance and organisational culture,” Jonathan Swan, research and policy manager at Working Families, said. “There is still a trust problem.”