Slow and unreliable computers are the biggest cause of irritation to small business employees in the UK, research has claimed.

A survey of small business owners, managers and employees by business information website BizHelp24 found that almost one in three workers finds slow or unreliable computer equipment the most irritating aspect of modern office life. 

Only 15 per cent consider spam emails as the most irritating aspect, and unwanted phone calls came in third at 13 per cent.

Colin Duguid, managing director of BizHelp24, said: "While it is important to get good value for money in your technology purchases, you must ensure that buying low cost PCs will not cost you more than you save in the long run.

"And upgrading old PCs is like buying a second hand car, because as soon as one thing is fixed something else will probably go wrong.

"Quality computer equipment keeps productivity high and lowers the risk of losing data, and it is probably a price worth paying."

The survey of 400 small business owners/managers/employees was conducted online during August and September 2006.

The full results are:

Slow/unreliable computers (28.1 per cent)
Junk emails (15.8 per cent)
Unwanted phone calls (13 per cent)
Colleagues' irritating mobile ring-tones (11.5 per cent)
Mobile phones left on during meetings (10 per cent)
Colleagues sending emails when seated next to you (7.5 per cent)
Colleagues not sharing tea/coffee duties (6 per cent)
Colleagues choosing a bad radio station (4.3 per cent)
Colleagues being away on instant messaging services (2.8 per cent)
Important but missing email attachments (1 per cent)