Employees are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with Britain's long-hours culture, according to a new report.

The study claims most people have to work more than their basic week as a "requirement of the job."

An authoritative study of 2,500 workers found that only top managers were happy to put in long hours.

Just 16 per cent of male professional staff said they were satisfied with their hours, compared with 36 per cent in 1992.

Only a minority said they worked long hours because it brought satisfaction.

TUC general secretary John Monks said the findings were the "kiss of death" to arguments against effective rules on working time.

British employees work the longest hours in Europe, averaging 46.3 a week - three more than across the European Union.

Millions of people are losing sleep over work, according to new research today.

Senior and middle managers are worst affected, as well as younger employees trying to climb the career ladder.

Health firm Vielife said its research suggested that six million people were losing sleep because of work.