Workers in UK businesses are resorting to drastic measures to access the internet, a new study has revealed.

Research from T-Mobile found that 26 per cent of workers are unable to access the internet at work and are taking measures into their own hands to get their net fix.

The survey also revealed that 23 per cent of workers were not allowed to access social network sites and 11 per cent could not check their web-based email accounts while at work.

With another seven per cent banned from using Google while at work, T-Mobile found that 48 per cent of people now use their mobile phone to access the internet while in the office.

More than one in six (15 per cent) workers said that they hide in the toilet while accessing the internet at work because they are scared of getting caught.

"While the management of office productivity is imperative, cutting off the internet in its entirety stops employees from using the tools that could help them work more effectively," commented leading social guru Jenni Trent Hughes.