Britain's workaholic culture is forcing people to arrive in the office early, leave late and struggle in even when they are ill, according to a new report published today.

Younger professional staff climbing the career ladder feel under the most pressure to work longer than normal hours.

Most workers aged between 25 and 34 complain of a culture of "presenteeism", said medical group PruHealth.

Its survey of 750 people revealed that one in seven said their employer had made it clear they expected them to work long hours, even when they were ill.

Almost half of those questioned said long working hours were becoming a more common feature of working life in this country.

Shaun Matisonn, chief executive of PruHealth, said presenteeism was becoming "endemic" and admitted his own company was not immune from the problem, but the company was working to achieve a balance between work and private lives.