9 to 5? No, we’re working 8 to 8

THe song says we are working nine to five. But with Britons working longer than ever, eight to eight would be closer to the truth, say researchers.

Technology means workers are tethered to the office even when at home, with most checking their emails before work and well into the evening.

The typical employee also puts in an average of four hours at the weekend, and one in three does not even switch off on holiday – with 46 per cent describing their phone or tablet as an ‘umbilical cord’ to their office.

Findings from the survey of 1,000 workers by Taylors of Harrogate High Voltage Coffee showed the average Briton first checks work emails at 7.45am, with a last check at 7.46pm.

And 67 per cent admitted to waking up in the night to check emails.