Working from home is regular practice in today's flexible employment environment but home-ing from work' is becoming increasingly common, says new research released today.

Lack of time, traffic clogged commuter journeys and hectic workloads are the main reasons why tasks traditionally completed at home are increasingly encroaching on the work environment.

From showering and putting on make up to paying household bills and sorting out our social life, it seems the office is a home away from home more than ever before.

The poll of 1,600 workers by Office Angels, the UK's leading office support and secretarial recruitment consultancy, revealed that:

l Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of women horde a stash of make up in their desk drawer, while a third (32 per cent) don't hesitate to put it on in front of colleagues. More than a quarter (26 per cent) regularly apply their mascara en route to work either on the train, tube or even in the drivers seat.

l Sixty five per cent of women and 35 per cent of men keep a mini-wardrobe at work with formal suits on stand-by for unexpected meetings, and for women, an average of two pairs of shoes kept under the desk.

l Eight per cent shower in the office before they start the working day.

l Twenty two per cent do a regular office shop' each week stocking up on breakfast cereals and sandwich ingredients.

l A third (35 per cent) only keep in touch with friends during work time, using email to organise their social lives. A further quarter (28 per cent) admit to relying on instant messenger for a daily natter with absent friends or family.

l From arranging a haircut, to booking the car in for its MOT, 87 per cent of us use work-time to sort out personal chores.

Paul Jacobs, Managing Director of Office Angels comments: "People tend to enjoy work more when they're allowed to bring a touch of their personal life into their office space, but it's essential employers get the balance right when it comes to setting ground rules about the encroachment of home into the workplace.

Too many home comforts can create a schizophrenic' office, provoking tension amongst colleagues who prefer a more defined working environment."

Home and office colliding is a point backed up by the research, which also highlighted problem areas where employees were getting a little too relaxed.

Nearly seven out of ten (69 per cent) workers admit to having been irritated by a neighbouring colleague's annoying home-ing' habits including: l Visiting children or pets in the workplace 18 per cent.

l Loud or embarrassing personal phone conversations 45 per cent.

l Festering gym kits left under desks 16 per cent.

l Being choked by deodorant or overpowering perfume nine per cent.

Paul Jacobs concludes: "While it's important people are comfortable in the office environment, it should never be at the expense of fellow colleagues.

"Like anything, apply a bit of common sense before you start importing the contents of your bathroom to the office loo."