A YouGov survey has found that IT workers in the UK are drinking more than almost any other profession, second only to journalists.

The survey of 1,400 people in the UK found that IT workers typically consume 34 units of alcohol a week, well above the recommended three to four units a day for men, and two to three for women. Only journalists drink more, averaging 44 units a week.

Some 29 per cent of IT workers questioned said that they felt pressured by their colleagues to drink more, and the same percentage actively monitored their drinking levels.

Drinking to relieve work stress was also commonplace, the survey found, even though one in 10 people reported that their drinking had adversely affected their work.

Ben Willmott, senior public policy adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, said: "Employers should have clear policies on managing alcohol misuse, which make clear to employees that drinking to a level that negatively affects their performance, attendance or behaviour at work is unacceptable.

"Policies should also spell out the health risks of excessive drinking and make it clear that support is available for people that have a dependency problem.”

The most sober profession was teaching, followed by professional drivers