New research from Mind makes for uncomfortable reading - the mental health charity has found that more than 1 in 7 of us (15 per cent) who receive work emails sometimes check them while in the toilet. An online YouGov poll of 1,095 English and Welsh workers also showed that nearly 2 in 5 (38 per cent) of those who receive work emails admitted that they often checked them outside of work.

The poll data also revealed that only half of respondents (50 per cent) said that their manager respects that they have a life outside work. These findings are indicative of a culture of working round-the-clock, leaving many of us unable to switch off and achieve a healthy work/life balance. Mind is urging employees to leave their work at work, and encouraging managers to set a good example by not sending work emails outside of their usual work hours, wherever possible.

As well as having our personal lives interrupted, this relentless email-checking culture is making it difficult to switch off when we should be preparing for sleep. Nearly 1 in 4 (24 per cent) of those who receive work emails said that they sometimes check them before they go to sleep, while almost 1 in 5 (19 per cent) sometimes check them before they've even got out of bed in the morning.

Emma Mamo, Head of Workplace Wellbeing at Mind, said:

"Despite our busy lives, modern technology means that many workers are now contactable around the clock. While many staff have to work outside their normal working hours from time to time, we all need a break from work to unwind and de-stress. Checking our emails outside work makes it difficult to maintain boundaries between our jobs and personal lives. It's not acceptable for staff to be expected to send and receive work emails at all hours. Employers and managers need to ensure this relentless email-checking culture doesn't become the norm.

"Encouraging a clear work/life balance is just one thing employers need to do to create a mentally healthy workplace. Staff are happier, healthier, and more likely to be loyal and productive if their workplace proactively promotes mental wellbeing. Employers can promote good wellbeing by encouraging staff to leave work at work so they can come back refreshed and rejuvenated."

Mind's website has a range of free resources available for both employers and staff with tips on tackling the causes of stress and poor mental health at work.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,015 British adults, of which 1,095 were from England or Wales and working and 830 received work emails.

Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th - 30th October 2014. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). This is the first time these statistics have been published publicly.

About Mind's Workplace Wellbeing programme:

Mind's Workplace Wellbeing programme aims to help people understand and start talking about the costs of neglecting mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Mind offers free resources for employers to help improve mental wellbeing and employee engagement. For more information, including tips for employers and staff, please visit http://www.mind.org.uk/work

Mind has a confidential information and support line, Mind Infoline, available on 0300 123 3393 (lines open 9am - 6pm, Monday - Friday)