This is quite a difficult question to answer as we seem to have developed a culture of working silly hours to get the job done rather than the traditional 9-5 routine. I think this is due to a few reasons, one being the economy, with many people worried about the security of their job they want to ensure they are seen as working hard so if there are any cut backs they won't be one of them, but also there's the opportunities of promotion and with so few jobs out there everyone keen to get on wants to go the extra mile and look better than the next person.

Me personally, I'm 26 years old with no children and still in the early stages of my career so I'm prepared to put in the extra hours required, firstly to ensure my job gets done and everything goes out on time but also to go the extra mile so I'm recognised when it comes to bonus time and if there becomes an opportunity for promotion I may have a chance of getting it.

I think if I had young children my attitude would be different, but I don't think I could do the job now without putting in the extra hours because it's just the culture we've become used to - 12 hour days most days! I dread to think what my actual hourly wage would be if I worked out my salary divided my the number of hours I actually work.

It's all down to the individual, although I work long hours I still think I have a good work-life balance, I have my weekends free (with the occasional logging onto the laptop ;-) ) and go on nice holidays.