As the graduate recruitment season reaches its peak, a survey reveals that more than three quarters of young people say it is important for businesses to offer them flexible working options.

The research, conducted by YouGov for BT Business, indicates that flexible working policies are a valued employee benefit across the age spectrum, but with above average results from the younger age bracket.

Almost two thirds of 18 to 29 year-olds surveyed cite a better work/life balance as the main benefit of working flexibly, followed by less stress and fewer travel problems. The survey also found that 43% of 18 to 29 year-olds are willing to consider lower pay to work at home, compared to 31% of the over 50s.

Beatriz Butsana-Sita, of BT Business, said: “For young people today the idea of being in the same office, at the same time, with the same people every day, is just completely out of date. The ability to work effectively away from the office comes as second nature to today’s generation of graduates. It’s increasingly something that they expect from an employer.”