BT Business has launched a health and safety initiative for mobile workers in its own company and plans to share the practical guide with other employers.

The reference guide will be  communicated to more than 100,000 BT staff to help them avoid injuries musculo-skeletal injuries while working away from the office.

It advises employees on how to sit at a desk, to take regular breaks from their computers and to exercise to avoid strain injuries.

In BT almost 21% of employee absence is caused by back, neck and arm problems, but only 46% of staff received guidance about how to work safely when on the move and a quarter did not understand that their employer was responsible for their health and safety when working remotely.

Paul Lichfield, chief medical officer at BT, said: "Mobile working can liberate people by giving them more flexibility over their time and more control over their jobs - both are important in helping to make modern life less stressful. As with any technology, people can experience problems with mobile devices if they don't take note of simple, practical steps before they begin to use their equipment."

Bill Murray, managing director of BT Business, added: "There has been a lack of advice for employees about best practice mobile working, despite the explosion in mobile and remote working in the UK. This is why we are making [the guide] available to all customers, and sharing it with all BT employees."