Workers in Bradford are set to lose the traditional working day within four years, according to a new report.

Hours will be more flexible and more people will work from home.

Nine-to-five commuting has become inconvenient for most people, especially working mothers. The survey by Ashridge Business School and Cahoot says more employees will demand the option of working from home with laptops, video-conferencing, e-mail and mobile phones.

It says half the senior managers at 250 British companies forecast the traditional working week will be obsolete by 2006.

It added that half of workers will turn down a job offer if the hours are too rigid.

And, 40 per cent of those questioned say they would work for less money if they could work when they wanted to.