(Dallas, TX – November 7, 2011) – One in two workers in the US work well over eight hours a day and more than half regularly take work home with them, according to the latest global survey findings from Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workspaces. The study polled more than 12,000 business people in 85 countries and finds extended working hours are the new norm.. In a tight job market, with fewer resources at their disposal due to cutbacks, the survey shows people are doing more to maintain and excel at their jobs. Key findings include:-

· 35% of US workers usually work between nine to eleven hours every day compared to 38% of global workers;

· 11% of workers in the USA and 10% globally regularly work more than eleven hours a day;

· 56% of US workers take work home to finish at the end of the day more than three times a week compared to 43% globally;

· 14% of remoter workers globally are more likely to work eleven hour days than fixed office workers, 6%,.

· 59% of remote workers globally are likely to take work home with them compared to fixed office workers, 26%.

· 72% of US remote workers take work home to finish more frequently than fixed office workers, 38%

· 13% of US workers in small businesses were three times more likely to work eleven hour days than large business employees, 4%.

Regus spokesperson comments: “This study finds a clear blurring of the line between work and home. In the US, where the American Institute of Stress reports that coronary heart disease is much more frequent in individuals experiencing high levels of job related stress,[1] the long-term effects of this over-working could be damaging both to workers’ health and to overall productivity as workers drive themselves too hard and become disaffected, depressed or even physically ill.”

“Workers in small businesses are more likely to feel the impact of a single employee on the success, which is why they are more apt work longer hours.”

“While our survey found remote and mobile workers generally worked longer hours, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that remote workers are more productive, have a higher job satisfaction and lower stress levels. [2] These workers typically spend far less time commuting, freeing-up more time for their job. Businesses that enable their employees to work from locations closer to home and manage their time more independently will offset the stress of a poor work-life balance and gain more productive, committed and healthy staff.”