UK businesses that ban employees from taking workplace "e-breaks" could be losing up to £4 billion every year, a new report claims.

PopCap Games' latest research asserts that taking a ten-minute online break during the day can result in reducing stress and does not serve as a distraction.

Furthermore, it believes such a rest can help to increase staff morale and efficiency.

The tests that provided the results for the study were carried out using psychometric trials on a cross-sector of British businesses.

Dr Chamorro-Premuzic, a Goldsmiths University psychologist who headed the trials, said: "The report proves that a ten-minute e-break a day can have significant benefits but, despite this, many bosses are banning them for fear that they distract employees."

Findings from the survey include that 57 per cent of employees choose to take a ten-minute online break in favour of a "traditional" tea break, however 71 per cent admit to doing so when their boss is not looking.

It is believed that seven out of ten companies have already banned the use of social networking sites in the workplace, including Lloyds TSB and British Gas.