People on holiday may be less relaxed than those left behind to run the office, according to two recent surveys.

A report from Thomson Holidays claimed that more than 20 per cent of holidaymakers take mobile phones away with them and 15 per cent use them to phone work.

One in 10 worried workers dreaded the overflowing in-tray awaiting them on their return. And 26 per cent worried about the work they had not finished before setting off on holiday.

On the other hand, office workers claim the summertime exodus of bosses, colleagues and clients means that annoying interruptions are reduced by a third, enabling them to get more work done, said recruitment agency Office Angels.

Its survey, conducted among 1,500 office workers and bosses, found that 72 per cent of office staff actually look forward to the summer months, when interfering colleagues and demanding bosses are away and they are left holding the fort.

Rather than seeing this as summer "downtime" they view time left alone in the office as an opportunity to crack through work and clear their in-tray.

Nearly two thirds - 64 per cent - of office workers said it was possible to save time while colleagues are away, and more than half responded that with clients and customers on holiday the telephone rings less frequently alleviating a major distraction to completing tasks.

Office Angels said that because they feel they are being more efficient, office workers feel more relaxed about taking a full hour for lunch during summer. A massive 96 per cent who seize the opportunity to take this break said it leaves them feeling happier and more focused for the afternoon.

Left alone in the office, workers also admitted to habits and quirky behaviour that they would not entertain when the office was busy and the boss was around.

More than a third - 35 per cent - suggested that 3pm is about the time when attention levels hit a low and they allow themselves to read the papers or surf the Net.

A quarter also admitted they are more tempted to take a nap when the boss is away, but only four per cent said they had actually fallen asleep in the office.

Nearly half - 44 per cent - also admitted to talking to themselves when they think nobody else is around. But Judi James, a workplace psychologist, said: "While on the surface it appears to be strange behaviour, talking out loud to yourself can actually be beneficial for some.

"Similar to writing lists, it can help people to structure their thoughts and add clarity to complicated issues."

Paul Jacobs, director of corporate communications at Office Angels, said: "This research has found office workers to be conscientious.

"Telephones ringing and demands from senior staff can place remarkable pressures on people, but the summer can provide the space and the quiet required to concentrate and catch up on outstanding tasks.

"Also, by being more productive, it's good to see that people feel less guilty about taking a break at lunchtime."