NOBODY ever lay on their deathbed and uttered the words: "I wish I had spent more time in the office."

Yet regular surveys published show the hours we work keep creeping up.

Indeed, researchers seem to have been working overtime in the past few years writing reports on how many extra hours we are putting in at our desks.

And it appears the changes are notable over a relatively short period of time.

Recruitment consultant Office Angels carried out research on the hidden cost of a week's holiday in 1999 and five years on has returned to the issue.

The new report suggests the annual summer holiday is no longer as hotly anticipated as it once was, with office workers complaining they have to work up to 50 extra hours in the weeks before and after they go.

The latest research also claims that employees deal with additional stress and suffer resentment from colleagues left behind.

The study reveals a massive eight out of 10 work on average 25 extra hours before and after their holiday to keep up with their workload.

When the same question was posed five years ago, 70 per cent worked an extra 20 hours to make up for time out of the workplace.

A third claim the days prior to a holiday are among the most stressful they experience all year at work. Two thirds say it takes up to three days of their holiday to wind down.

A massive 86 per cent says their "post-holiday glow" disappears after two days back in the office.

Four out of five feel as tired and stressed by the end of their first week back as if they had not had a break.

And one in three say they receive little or no support from colleagues who resent being left behind to pick up the extra work.

"The importance of having a break from work shouldn't be underestimated," said managing director of Office Angels Paul Jacobs.

"Employers need to ensure their staff do get a proper break from work during their holiday and shouldn't expect them to take work with them or contact them unless absolutely unavoidable."

Back in the real world, though, three-quarters of office workers say they have been contacted by their boss while on holiday - a 15 per cent increase on five years ago when 60 per cent said they had been disturbed while away.

The number of people admitting to working while on holiday has also risen sharply since 1999, from one in 10 (13 per cent) to one in five (21 per cent).

Office workers questioned in 1999 said they resented having to work during their holiday.

In 2004, the majority said they expected to have to pick up phone calls and e-mails during their break.

The main reasons given for working when they are supposed to be resting included anxiety about work (32 per cent) and wanting to reduce the workload waiting for them upon return (52 per cent).

Employment lawyer Malcolm Walby said: "I'm very much aware there is an enormous problem with stress just before holidays in particular."

Mr Walby, a director of the chamber of commerce Dorset Business, said it is important to ensure contracts and holiday procedures are in place so everyone knows where they stand.

"If an employer desperately needs to contact people, arrange a time when they can do that. If you are carrying your mobile on holiday and someone could call you at any time there is a stress element to that. If you only have to switch it on from nine to 9.30 every morning then that's not so much of a problem."

There can be few companies with any surplus in their workforce today.

Once, there were six people doing the job of four.

In busy times, everyone was working.

In quieter times, employees could ease off, draw breath.

"Nowadays, employers have cut right down to the minimum," added Mr Walby, an associate of Humphries Kirk.

"Instead of six, they now have three and those three are under immense pressure when it gets busy, particularly when one is off sick or on holiday."

It can prove a recipe for an extremely stressful situation and he is the one employers come to when they are being sued for breach of working time regulations or stress or asking why they cannot get staff to work with them.

There has been a 17 per cent increase in applications to employment tribunals from 2002/2003 to 2003/2004.

"If they take advice and go about things sensibly, there is a lot that can be done.

"I have known employers, listed companies, that have come to me in the last year and have reviewed systems in place so they are a bit more sympathetic and life becomes a lot easier and more productive," he said.