UK office staff are doing as much as two hours extra work a day away from the office as a result of having smartphones, research has suggested.

About two-thirds (64 per cent) of the 2,010 office workers polled for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) said they continued working on smartphones and other devices after they left the office, and spent an average of two hours 18 minutes doing so.

This additional ‘screen time’ is on top of an average of six hours 22 minutes spent in front of a computer screen during their regular working day.

The main reasons cited for doing extra work were to ‘ease the pressure of the working day’ (35 per cent) and ‘too much work to do’ (33 per cent). More than half of those who were doing extra work (53 per cent) said the amount they do has increased in the past two years, but only 8 per cent said their boss was doing anything to help tackle the issue.

The CSP warned that poor posture when using smartphones and other mobile devices could lead to many workers developing back and neck pain. Despite using their devices for such long periods, only one in four respondents to the survey said they were conscious of the need to maintain a good posture. In addition, not being able to switch off from work away from the office can put workers at risk of increased stress.

The results are being released to coincide with the CSP’s Workout at Work Day when physiotherapy staff across the UK encourage people to be more physically active in order to combat stress and avoid musculoskeletal disorders, like back pain. Today (June 19th) about 350 physiotherapists will go into workplaces across the UK to demonstrate easy, low-cost ways for employers to help their staff lead healthier lives.

Dr Helena Johnson, chair of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: “A healthy workforce is a productive one, so businesses that fail to invest in the wellbeing of their staff are pouring money down the drain. Sickness absence can be devastating for the individual and very expensive for the employer...we are pleased so many employers have taken part in Workout at Work Day and hope the events lead to healthier workplaces across the UK.”

The CSP has produced a new free leaflet in association with the CIPD called ‘Under Pressure’, which looks at the link between physical activity and mental wellbeing, with advice on staying happy and healthy at work.

Ben Willmott, CIPD head of public policy, said: “Employers should be concerned if staff are regularly taking work home with them and finding it hard to switch off and re-charge. While a level of pressure is of course an essential part of working life, evidence suggests that prolonged exposure to excessive pressure – i.e. stress - is linked to conditions such as anxiety, depression and heart disease. Managers should be asking staff regularly about their workload to ensure people’s health does not suffer.”