Long hours cost me my girlfriend.

(From Leicester Mercury)

For Andy McGeown, long and unsociable hours came with the territory. He was a young, ambitious accountant who wanted to reach the top of his profession, so what was wrong with putting in 50-hour and even 60-hour weeks? Andy spent more time at work after being promoted by the major Leicestershire accountancy firm he worked for. It was crucial he impressed the bosses, now he was one step away from the coveted senior position he craved.

"I was at an important stage. The next step was becoming a partner. I felt under pressure to do long hours", he said.

"At the time I became blinkered to the effect it was having on my social life.

"The aim was to become a partner, that was the natural progression. I got it in my mind that doing long hours was the only …