More than 80% of employees work almost an extra day a month of unpaid overtime according to a poll by Peninsula BusinessWise.

The survey found that the average employee works seven hours of overtime without pay every month, and 2% of employees work more than ten hours of overtime a month without pay.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula BusinessWise, says: “It is clear that workers themselves are too busy and simply cannot afford to take the breaks that they are entitled to because their workload is so tremendously high and the working week is so long.

“The benefits that employers gain by giving their staff time off are invaluable. Not only do workers return from their breaks feeling refreshed and relaxed, but also their motivation is likely to be tremendously boosted by their time away from work. As all managers know a highly motivated and happy employee, is an employee who works harder and puts more effort in.”