Workers stay away from desks

Many people are still not back at their desks after the Christmas break, giving the capital an eerily empty feel. An Evening Standard survey of top firms revealed some employees will still be away until next week.

The snapshot challenges the perception of Londoners as workaholics. Piers Merchant of the London Chamber of Commerce said: "It is true there are fewer employees at work. I think people are just taking an extra few days around the holiday period."

A spokesman for Citigroup said: "Quite a few are still away until next Monday. The people I've spoken to would balk at the phrase 'skeleton crews' but it's certainly seen as a time when people can leave desks lightly manned."

Not everyone was so lucky. Internet consultancy Ratio One and law firm Allen & Overy worked right through the festive period.