Twice the number of large businesses, compared to those with fewer than 50 staff are employing the Investors in People standard.

The Institute of Directors (IoD) quizzed 500 members and found that 86% working in organisations employing 50 to 200 staff were accredited with the employee development recognition or were committed to achieving it, compared with only a third of smaller businesses.

Just under half (45%) of companies with over 200 employees used the standard.

Head of business policy at the IoD, Dr Richard Wilson said that smaller organisations would benefit more than their larger rivals from involvement with the IIP body.

"Larger businesses are less likely to recognise the benefits of being IIP-accredited. It's very easy for businesses to spend money on training without understanding the personal objectives for employees.”