Is working from home working? Or shirking?

Despite best intentions some companies are still reluctant to go fully flexible and allow staff to work from home.

It's not clear if they're concerned there would be more washing loads than workload or envious someone is working with a cat on their knee, but only a small number of New Zealanders work from home.

New Census data shows 12 percent of employed people in New Zealand work from home. The number is at odds with the numbers of people who could - up to 65 percent according to data with Figure NZ

Figure NZ, data collection agency, also shows 61 precent of Aucklanders who have the ability to work from home would like to do so more often.

According to Figure NZ people saw the number of face to face meetings as the main barrier (38 percent) stopping them from working from home.

Company policy was the next biggest barrier with 29 percent of workers saying their company didn't allow the option of working from home.

Internet speed (21 percent) and lack of home office space (14 percent) also prevented people from working from home.

But there are innovative companies who are breaking down the barriers by helping staff work remotely. And they insist it creates a happier and more productive workplace.

Shirvani Mudaly, Chief People Officer at Vend, said the global point-of-sale company had five offices around the world and a staff of 300 working different hours.

Flexibility was essential.

"Allowing teams to work flexible hours is a big part of how we do business, which is why we empower our people with the support and the tools to manage their time in a flexible way," she said.

That meant allowing people to work from home, have a break during the day or come in later to avoid busy commute.

"We understand our people have different ways of working, family commitments, or different demands in their lives that they have to work around," she said.

"We strongly believe workplaces need to be accommodating towards team members and we know that when we provide a trusting, open work environment, that our team responds incredibly well and leads to high performance."

Benefits of working from home

For Employers:

Save money on office space

Having a percentage of employees who work from home saves money on office space. Better technology means you can still hold group meetings or conferences.

Attract staff

Having a work from home option is a sign of a flexible and innovative company.

Offering a day or two working from home could snare the company talent you want.

Access the best talent pool

Without the restriction of location you can look for the best suited worker - rather than just local talent.

For the Employee:

Work/Life balance

The ability to collect kids from school or save two hours a day by avoiding a commute is a game changer for some.

The time and energy spent in traffic can be used perfecting that office pitch or brainstorming for the next video conference.

Better productivity

Working at home doesn't mean lounging around watching Netflix.

Dedicated at home workers can plough through work and then some without the distractions of the office.

And plenty work better with a cat on their knee.