Less than half of companies in Canada provide remote working options for their employees, according to a new survey from global staffing firm Robert Half.

Among a group of 500 workers in office environments, 43 per cent said their companies let them work from anywhere. Of those, 61 per cent take advantage of the perk and work from home; another three per cent do their job from another location, such as a café or shared office space.

Then there is a minority who prefer working in an office for a variety of reasons. Most (47 per cent) said they don’t have the right technology at home. Others said they aren’t as productive. Some feel lonely or think they’re missing out on work opportunities.

But remote working is a growing perk. In a separate survey of senior managers, 54 per cent said their organization has expanded these opportunities for employees in the past three years. Those organizations with 500 or more employees were more likely to offer increased telecommuting options compared to smaller businesses.

“It’s important for organizations to keep their finger on the pulse of what attracts job seekers, and the ability to work remotely is clearly an offering many professionals look for,” said David King, senior district president of Robert Half. “To entice top talent, employers should assess where perks like alternative work options can fit within their organization in ways that allow workers the flexibility they want, without compromising business goals.”