And 41 per cent feel guilty about not replying to emails fast enough.

Email experts at manufacturing computer support company Ulysses IT have analysed new surveys released by email firm GMX and Office Angels.

Ulysses IT's director Paula Backen says that the answer is getting rid of more spam, and finding smarter ways to categorise incoming email: "It's crazy that we feel overwhelmed by what is essentially just a communication tool.

"But at the same time I know how people in these surveys felt. It's easy to feel your heart sink when you switch your computer on and there are 50 new emails waiting to be read. It stops you doing any proper work!"

The surveys found that keeping on top of email is a major concern for many people.

Women are more likely to feel embarrassed by something they have written in an email. And one in ten people think that they have damaged a relationship with an email.

Paula explains that it is easy and cheap for manufacturing businesses to help workers deal with emails: "First off, you must treat spam seriously and do everything you can to stop it getting through to staff. Not only is it a pain having to sort spam by hand, but it can be a security risk as well.

"Often spam contain links to websites that will try to attack your IT network. It's better that staff never see these, so they can't be tempted to click them.

"Secondly, you should encourage staff to use email filters and folders to categorise incoming emails. This can help them be more productive and focus on what they should be doing at any one time."

Based in Leicester, Ulysses IT specialises as an outsourced IT department for the manufacturing sector. Established in 1998, the company has grown, offering outsourced IT on a pay-as-you-go basis.