London, July 17 (ANI): A third of Britain's employees are following The Ashes at work with bosses installing extra TVs to keep up staff morale during the recession.

A survey of 1,300 staff and bosses showed 28 percent were tuning into the series on TV, the radio or online - while officially grafting.

According to Sky News, many employers are pulling out the stops to allow staff to watch the cricket, with some fearing their staff would pull sickies otherwise.

A survey by the series sponsor Npower found 10 percent of bosses were making concessions to improve staff morale.

Others admitted to bringing in extra TVs because they were cricket fans themselves.

Npower is urging businesses who have installed extra TVs and radios to consider switching other appliances off, to keep energy consumption to a minimum.

Julia Lynch-Williams, director of energy services at npower, said: "It is great that UK businesses are getting behind the team and follow them during The Ashes.

Former England cricket captain Alec Stewart said: "It is fantastic that the nation's workforce is planning to get behind the team, whether that is via TV, radio or online." (ANI)