UK workers are over- worked and over-stressed, according to latest research, which shows that many are too tired to have a social life outside the office.

More than 500 employees were polled with half of them claiming they were stressed and 35% said they worked long hours. Janet McGlaughlin, director of jobs at Pertemps, said: ‘Our research is worrying as it shows that job pressures are impacted on many people’s work-life balance. Longer hours are partly to blame, but stress was by far the most common cause identified.

‘Stress is something that can be managed. Workers can play a part by ensuring they take short, regular breaks and do not put unnecessary pressure on themselves.’