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Workaholic Brits taking work calls while being waxed

Put that phone down...

Tags: remote working, email, mobile

By Natasha Lomas

Published: 28 August 2008 11:35 GMT

Workaholic Brits are taking work calls and sending emails in places they really shouldn't, according to a new survey - including at the waxing parlour.

Almost a third of workers apparently believe it's essential for them to be contactable by their employer at all times. The 'always on duty' mentality affects 31 per cent of the 1,000 UK workers quizzed - and has led to business being conducted in some very unprofessional environments, the survey found.

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More than a fifth (23 per cent) of respondents said they have answered calls or sent emails while propping up the bar down the pub, a quarter of respondents have worked while on public transport and 13 per cent have sent emails or made calls from the doctor's surgery when they should probably have been worrying about other things.

The survey, conducted by 3 Business, also reveals a bizarre minority of workers who seem completely unable to turn off.

Seven per cent of respondents said they have taken time out in the middle of a date to take a work call - perhaps in the vain hope it makes them look important - and a mind-boggling four per cent said they have even sent emails or spoken to a work colleague while having a waxing or tanning session. Presumably not a video call, however.

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