Work-life balance

Half of office workers spend more time e-mailing or texting friends than actually working, in order to achieve a better "work-life" balance. The trend, identified as "cyber socialising", causes thousands of workplace errors costing businesses £761m each year.

Dr David Lewis, a psychologist who conducted the research, said: "Office workers are reluctant to let work commitments interrupt friendships. So they use e-mails and group instant messaging to stay in touch and plan social activities. The World Cup will see an increase in such behaviour, as England games provide a 'cyber socialising' focus point for the whole country."

Daily Telegraph (Philip Whiting)

Smoking doors

Smokers are the new lepers. Soon the health bill now before parliament will ban smoking in all workplaces in England, including pubs, restaurants and private clubs. But the government revealed on Monday that the ban might eventually apply to doorways.

Financial Times (Jane Tilley)