Half of employees would be able to focus on their work more effectively at home, but the vast majority never get the chance.

A survey by the British Council for Offices (BCO) revealed 79 percent of workers never work from home despite being able to be more effective out of the office space.

Half said fewer interruptions was one of the biggest benefits of working from home, while 48 percent said it was quieter and 35 percent said it was easier to concentrate.

However, employees greatly valued the social benefits of working in a communal space. Being able to meet colleagues face to face and interactions with other employees (both 79 percent) were rated the top office perks, above access to technology including files and documents (61 percent) and better computer hardware and software (35 percent).

The research also found that 68 percent voted their personal workspace as a vital element of workplace design, one which two thirds said had a positive impact on their ability to work efficiently.

Gary Wingrove, President of the BCO and Head of Construction Programme Management at BT Group Property, thinks office spaces should be varied to enable employees to work effectively.

He said: "We live in an age where - in theory - we can work almost anywhere. Despite this, the research suggests that employees are still inherently wedded to the office for collaboration and stimulation.

"It is therefore more important than ever that businesses prioritise their staff as the ultimate end users of the workplace, and invest time and money in implementing office designs which accommodate different types of work. In effect, offices need to become what has been referred to as ‘business hotels’, providing a range of settings to incorporate both the quiet and comfort of home with an interactive and social work space.

"Whether cellular or open plan, without doubt it is those workplaces designed and fitted-out with the needs of employees in mind which provide a greater financial return on investment by improving staff morale and therefore levels of productivity and efficiency."