Post and pre-holiday blues really do exist, according to new research conducted by Office Angels, the secretarial and office support recruitment consultancy.

The study reveals many office workers feel they don’t benefit from their holiday time.

Eight out of 10 of those surveyed by the recruitment company say they work on average 25 extra hours before and after their holiday to keep up with their workload, compared to 20 hours five years ago.

A third claim the last few days prior to a holiday are among the most stressful they experience all year at work.

Two-thirds say they take up to three days of their holiday to wind down and a fed-up 86% say their ‘post-holiday glow’ goes after just two days back in the office.