More than a third of UK small businesses say flexible hiring is the most significant change to their business as a result of the recession, according to new research from online business marketplace PeoplePerHour.com.

Based on a survey taken by 360 of PeoplePerHour.com’s 73,000+ users, the PPH Small Business Survey 2010 shows that 35% cited an increase of flexible hiring as the most significant change brought about by the recession.

PeoplePerHour.com founder and chief executive Xenios Thrasyvoulou says: “Perhaps the most fundamental change in their approach is the move towards flexible hiring – hiring freelance workers on an ad-hoc basis, rather than making costly full-time appointments.”