Companies should be more amenable to requests for flexible working as a way of easing the financial burden on employees, HR consultancy Croner has said.

With fuel prices hitting new record highs and the price of oil approaching $150 a barrel, the organisation is urging to employers to help staff reduce the cost of living by allowing them to work from home more often or to alter their normal working pattern.

"It might be possible for some employees to work from home or to alter their start and finish times to avoid the rush hour traffic, and therefore the time spent sitting idle in traffic burning fuel," said Joanne Pitts, employment law consultant at Croner.

"Flexible working can improve employee relations and staff morale, as well as setting companies apart from their competitors."