The first member of the team to benefit from the strategy is new mum Cath Chaplin. Cath has just returned to work after six month's maternity leave following the happy arrival of son Zack.

To help Cath plan childcare and spend more time with Zack whilst still holding down a full-time job as a Project Manager, Keyclicks have installed a "virtual office" in her home. This allows Cath to work at the office in the mornings and at home during the afternoon. Harnessing the right technology such as a Virtual Private Networks (VPN), a Broadband Connection and Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone technology means that Cath is fully enabled to get on with her role whether in the office or at home.

Cath is already experiencing the benefits of a modern work-life balance "The flexibility of Keyclicks' working policy has made what was a daunting prospect of returning to work much easier, being able to split my hours between the office and home has enabled me to return full time yet still spend time with Zack and not miss out on the important stages of his early life."

Following the introduction of the UK Government's 10-year childcare strategy with the passing of The Work and Families Act, flexible working practices are being embraced by more employers who want the agility to compete and provide better customer service. Flexible working practices also help ensure companies can recruit from as wide a profile of local people as possible, gaining from the full range of skills and experience in the local economy. The TUC have said that "organisations that negotiate innovative work practices which also benefit staff are forward-looking, competitive and profitable. They regard job security and responding to the needs of employees as a priority."

Jaimie Dobson adds: "All companies can do this with the right set up for very little investment, thus following many of the government's guidelines."