These are the signs someone is a 'hard worker', according to poll

Eight in 10 people believe they give it their all

(Getty)

Never missing a deadline, offering help to colleagues and keeping a schedule are signs that someone is a "hard worker", according to a poll.

The survey of 2,000 office workers also found eight in 10 respondents thought they worked "as hard as they possibly can" every day.

One in three said they did so because they respected their boss, and the same amount said they loved their work – while 42 per cent said they "thrive" on being busy.

The research, commissioned by working animal charity Spana, found six in 10 adults thought those in the medical or healthcare field worked harder than anyone else.

Nurses were deemed to have the hardest job in the country, followed by doctors, paramedics and police officers.

Sarah DeSouza, a chemotherapy nurse from Leigh-On-Sea said: “I cherish human interaction. I get to know and develop a rapport straight away.

“Sometimes patients don’t survive, I get to know their families very well and it can be really emotional.

“Sometimes after a patient has passed away their relative will call us or write a letter and say they are so thankful for all the support that you are able to give them.

“That just gives me so much reward, that I‘ve made such a difference.”

Other jobs named among the hardest included farmers, prison wardens and social workers.

Just under one in 10 thought traffic wardens had the hardest job in the country, while 17 per cent thought sewage workers worked harder than anyone else.

Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of Spana, which provides free veterinary treatment to working animals in developing countries, said: “It will come as no surprise that nurses, doctors and paramedics are among those deemed to have the hardest jobs in the country, especially during the very difficult times we are currently facing as a nation.

‘‘In general, most Brits think they work hard each day – and most people are very dedicated in their professional lives. However, thankfully, our working conditions in the UK are usually good and labour laws exist to protect workers.

“Sadly, it’s a very different situation for working animals overseas, which endure gruelling working conditions every day.

“These working horses, donkeys, camels and elephants toil for long hours, carrying backbreaking loads, with little rest and no holidays or retirement.”

The study also found 35 per cent of adults thought firefighters had the hardest job in the country, but Essex fire watch manager Lee Hollingworth said: “I’m in the very fortunate position in that every morning I wake up, and have done for the last 19 years since I’ve been in the service, that I look forward to going to work.

“The team spirit that is generated is very much like working within a family.”

One quarter of those polled also believed social workers had the hardest job.

However, while the majority of those polled believed themselves to be hard workers, only four in 10 thought they worked harder than everyone else they know.

Seven in 10 full-time employees found their jobs much more mentally demanding than physically, while one-fifth thought the work they did was equally taxing on their mind and their body.

Geoffrey Dennis added: “For the most part, if we feel we’re working too hard we can have a screen break, take some annual leave, or stop for a cup of tea.

“Most people have colleagues they can turn to on tougher days to help pick them up too. However, there is little or no support on offer for working animals and their owners in the world’s poorest communities.

“They are among the world’s hardest workers – often undertaking exhausting work, in extreme temperatures and dangerous environments, with inadequate food and water. But, a life of work shouldn’t mean a life of suffering."

SWNS