IT staff in the UK are working longer hours for less pay according to a new survey by a national recruitment website.

A survey of 500 workers found that almost half were working longer hours than they were two years ago, with more than 40 per cent citing the increasing demands of the job.

More than a quarter were found to be working between 48 and 60 hours per week, despite the fact that nearly three quarters had not opted out of the European Working Time Regulation, which limits hours to 48 hours per week. Five per cent worked 60-75 hours a week.

The effects have been damaging, with more than 40 per cent saying their health had been damaged, 64 per cent believing their social life had been compromised and 41 per cent of respondents said it resulted in no social life at all.

"Employers need to take some responsibility for the impact that overwork can have on their employees' health,” Alex Farrell, managing director at www.theitjobboard.co.uk.

“With our research showing that a significant amount of IT workers find it difficult to maintain relationships or suffer ill health, the UK's culture of working long hours needs to be addressed. As businesses look to derive as much value from their people assets as possible during lean times, it is going to be imperative that we don't drive employees to burnout."

Only 10 per cent of staff were actually paid any overtime for their extra work, despite more than half saying they had to take work home to cope. Only 15 per cent actually complained to management but in more than 80 per cent of cases such complaints were ignored.