Following in the footsteps of Scarlett Johansson and Fergie, one in three female employees are now ditching their light-coloured locks, for a more demure shade.

This latest news comes as we face bleak job losses in the wake of the worldwide recession, and struggling companies across Britain are forced to make mass lay-offs.

In the survey commissioned by Superdrug, Dan Hadley said to the Daily Mail: “The current economic climate is obviously making women take more care with their appearance at work, even down to their hair colour.

“The study shows brunettes do seem to be taken more seriously in the work place which is causing a rise in fair headed women darkening their locks.

“It’s incredible how changing your hair colour can alter people’s perception of you as well as making you feel more confident too.”