There's a growing trend for lottery winners to go back to work, like Luke Pittard - a $1.3 million winner who returned to his job at McDonald’s.

And Tyrone Curry, a $3.4 million winner still works as a school janitor at Evergreen High School years after he won the Washington State Lottery.

There are many examples of lotto winners returning to work, and the trend is continuing.

In a new study from CareerBuilder, 51 percent of workers reported that, even if they didn't need a job financially, they would still work after winning the lottery.

Overall, nearly one-third of employees say they would even opt to stay in their current jobs.

They give a wide range of reasons, from avoiding boredom to keeping in contact with their workmates.

For many workers, their job is more than a way to produce income - it's a way of life they would miss. Unless you hate it, a job or purpose is necessary for a balanced life.

It gives most people workplace friends, a sense of involvement and pride in work done.

Additionally, in the study, 23 percent said they would miss their co-workers.

All these things are essential for a happy existence on this planet, psychologists agree.

Many winners have left their jobs after a lottery win of $1 million or more - only to return to work soon after.

Luke Pittard, a British fast food worker, won £1.3 million (US$2.1 million) and quit his job, spending large on lavish trips, a wedding, and a house.

But he returned to work at McDonald’s within 18 months.

"There's only so much relaxing you can do," said the affable Welsh-born staff trainer for the food company.

We can understand that many people react because they are in shock...disoriented and confused. All reason leaves them.

Their world is shaken to the core by the vast change in their finances. Never again will they have to owe money to a single soul.

They can pay for anything they want. They can walk down the street, point at almost anything at random... cars, buildings, furniture... and say happily to themselves: "I could buy that, right now!"

Working after winning is a well-known trait recognized by lottery officials who see it all the time. Most of them miss their friends.

But I still can't figure out why so many winners do it. I wonder what drove them to continue their life of drudgery - even for a single day longer?

I'd understand it better if they had obligations at work... if they managed a large number of people who depended on them. I'd stay around too, and hand over to my deputy. You can't let people down if you have any common decency.

But many lottery-winning folk have jobs where they won't be missed... except maybe by their co-workers. And you can always meet them after work, or shout them on a cruise or an island holiday!

Would you go back to work tomorrow?

If you said yes, think about why you are playing the lotto. Isn't it to escape the unpleasant life you have now?

The life where you have no control over what you do and where you go? Where your hours are dictated by men and machines - not you?

When the weekend's almost over... would you like to stay at home on Monday?

Here's how to start to escape the rat race - by playing regularly.