Here's the proof that we should all work for just three hours a day

Research: Employees are productive at work is only 2 hours 53 minutes a day

Time may fly when you're having fun, but it also has a habit of dragging when you're not.

Even if you love your job, there come those days when the clock hands seem to be frozen. You look up from your desk, exhausted and famished - but it's only 9.59am.

It's a struggle we can all relate to.

Interestingly, though, there's evidence to suggest the typical eight hour working day is unnecessarily long.

A recent survey examined the working habits of 1,989 full-time office staff.

What emerged was the average amount of time that employees are productive at work is only 2 hours 53 minutes a day, which basically just takes you up to lunchtime.

Here are the top 10 activities we're doing when not actually doing our job - and how much time we spend doing them.

1. Checking social media – 44 minutes
2. Reading news websites – 1 hour 5 minutes
3. Discussing out-of-work activities with colleagues – 40 minutes
4. Making hot drinks – 17 minutes
5. Smoking breaks – 23 minutes
6. Text/instant messaging – 14 minutes
7. Eating snacks – 8 minutes
8. Making food in office – 7 minutes
9. Making calls to partner/ friends- 18 minutes
10. Searching for new jobs – 26 minutes

Now, go and have a quiet word with your boss.