London, June 11 (IANS) One in four people put their health at risk if they work without a break through the day, a new study has revealed.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has warned that working in the same position for too long and going to work when ill or stressed can damage health.

Long working hours without a break can also lead to back pain, obesity, depression, heart disease and stroke.

"Physiotherapists are concerned that overworking and not taking breaks is actually costing employers and their staff," telegraph.co.uk quoted Phil Gray, chief executive of the CSP as saying.

"Employees pay the price with their health and there is a cost to employers in reduced productivity and performance. Work is good for us and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing - but not when overworking means people don't have the time or energy to look after their own health or when staff are at work but are not fit for work," Gray added.

Ben Willmott, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, agreed, saying "These findings should ring alarm bells for employers. A certain level of pressure at work is of course desirable.

"However when the pressure people face regularly exceeds their ability to cope, in other words stress, it is likely to lead to time off work and is linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety and heart disease".