Employees are wasting time gossiping and visiting socials networking sites when in the office, according to a new study.
In data released by AXA, workers spend 14 hours a month or 40 minutes a day of their working day on activities such as talking on the phone, visiting social networking sites, sending emails and texting friends and family.
The research also found that staff use their time in the office to book flights online and visit gambling websites.
It is thought that employees spend nearly 59 minutes a week gossiping and 42 minutes sending personal emails.
Furthermore, Londoners were found to spend the most time on activities not related to work.
This research is in aid of a new initiative by AXA and supported by the Confederation of British Industry and Unite, which calls for bosses to allow employees to spend one hour a month on their finances.
Unite national officer David Fleming comments: "This initiative is providing employees with an opportunity to help tackle a great cause of stress in the workplace."
Mr Fleming recently reported that activities such as gossiping and social networking can cost firms £1.08 billion each week.
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