Personal emails relieve work stress

Over 33 per cent of Britons admit that receiving personal emails provides a valued relief from pressures at work, according to research by email provider GMX.

While many firms dislike staff accessing private email at work, the company said that one in three people asked said they thought they were a coping strategy against work-related stress.

The study also found that the average Briton has two separate personal email accounts and checks them two to three times every day.

Women in particular - 32 per cent - claimed that personal emails helped them 'get through the day' and one in five under-35-year-olds said they emailed spouses or partners on a daily basis to boost their self-esteem or confidence.

Email help and advice

The most common use for private emails was as a source of humour to distract them from high-pressure tasks or difficult colleagues.

Eva Heil, managing director of GMX said, "Many employers dislike staff accessing private email at work as this is often viewed as merely time wasted. 

"However, the study suggests such email is a valued way for workers to relieve the negative effects of work such as stress or nerves. It could well reward an employer in the long run," Heil continued.

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