Most Britons are ‘working without cost’ outdoors of their contracted hours

More than 85 per cent of Britons are ‘working for free’ outside of their contracted hours, new research has found.

The group of workaholic employees admit to completing tasks outside the regular 9 to 5 — as 88 per cent also admit they would take a call from work despite not being paid to do so.

Rather than just being available, 26 per cent of the 2,000 people surveyed say they go further and check their emails on their own time.

Work tasks are not the only things creeping into personal time, as 85 per cent of respondents say they hate being forced to attend social events for their job too.

More than 85 per cent of Britons are ‘working for free’ outside of their contracted hours, new research has found

Work tasks are not the only things creeping into personal time, as 85 per cent of respondents say they hate being forced to attend social events for their job too

And it is not just the employees themselves being forced to think about work, as 87 per cent admit they tell their partner about work too.

Despite this, more than a third (36 per cent) admit that they still do not know what family and close friends do for a living.

Work-life balance is an increasing priority for jobseekers in the UK, with 20 per cent saying they are actively looking to move jobs to somewhere with a better balance.

Among those, ‘flexible working’ was voted to be the top perk that British workers were looking for.

But despite wanting the freedom to choose their own time, one-in-ten UK employees (11 per cent) admit that they do not take their full annual leave entitlement each year.

And one-in-five (18 per cent) say that they do not even take a lunch break.

Samantha Ruter, CEO at Open Study College, said: ‘Finding the right balance between work and home life can be a delicate dance for many people, especially those with children.

Rather than just being available, 26 per cent of the 2,000 people surveyed say they go further and check their emails on their own time

‘Our top tips to achieving a better work life balance would be:

‘Try to take some annual leave each quarter of the year, even if you don’t have any holidays or events planned, it’s really important to take the time away from work and allow your mind to reset and refresh.

‘If you have a lunch hour, take the hour!

‘Get away from your desk and, weather permitting, go outside.

‘No one should sit for eight hours or more working consecutively without some down time.

‘If your workplace doesn’t already have clear rules, ask your boss to set some.

‘Have an agreed time where you can turn your phone and emails off.

‘If someone needs to be on hand, make a schedule and split the time equally between staff.’