Pressure for an extra bank holiday grew yesterday as a new study showed most workers wanted a statutory day off in October to help prepare for the onset of winter.

Pressure for an extra bank holiday grew yesterday as a new study showed most workers wanted a statutory day off in October to help prepare for the onset of winter.

A survey of 4200 adults by employment law firm Peninsula also revealed that two-thirds fear that Christmas Day will soon not be an automatic day off because of the changing nature of work in the UK.

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula, said: "Autumn nights, colder days and the fact that Christmas seems so far away makes it more appealing to workers for a bank holiday to be introduced in October.

"Providing an extra bank holiday during the year could potentially be a good way of keeping staff well-motivated and rested, which can help boost productivity, so maybe it's time for a sensible debate to discuss the needs of an extra bank holiday.

"The general consensus is that a bank holiday would be welcomed in the autumn as it gives employees the opportunity to break up the time between August bank holiday and Christmas.

No new bank holidays have been introduced since 1978, leaving Britain with eight, the second-lowest in Europe.

Another report published yesterday claimed that workplaces across the UK are "awash" with sexism, with women and other employees facing discrimination, even if it lies below the surface.

Women's campaign group the Fawcett Society announced plans for a new campaign to highlight the problems.

The group complained about the continuing gender pay gap, currently 17%, and the practice of entertaining clients in lap-dancing clubs.

Dr Katherine Rake, director of the Fawcett Society, said: "UK workplaces are awash with sexism. Pregnancy discrimination, sexual objectification and gender stereotyping all lurk just below the surface."