More than two-thirds of UK workers think access to social networking sites should be banned from the workplace, according to research from reed.co.uk.

The nationwide survey of 4,245 workers reveals that a third of employees access Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or other social networking sites while at work.

The research also shows a quarter of employers have banned employees from browsing social networking sites during work hours. Around 35% of employers give full access and, while the remaining 40% do allow access, it’s almost always permitted for business purposes only.

Reed.co.uk managing director, Martin Warnes, says: “Despite their phenomenal popularity, most UK workers would rather steer clear of Facebook and Twitter while they’re at work, with many seeing them as an unwelcome distraction or a risk to their privacy.”