Survey lifts the lid on office romance

Cupid has been hard at work lately, with a recent survey revealing that two in five UK employees may have spent Valentine’s Day with a secret office sweetheart. What’s more, as many as 28% admit to having an affair with a married colleague.

In the annual office romance survey conducted by online job site CareerBuilder, 19% of those asked admit to finding a colleague attractive, while 39% say they’ve dated someone who works at the same company and 36% have gone on to marry their co-worker.

Office romances can be a risky business for some, as 24% of employees say they have dated their boss and two in five have become close to someone in a higher position than them. An even more dangerous scenario is that of the three in 10 workers who admit they’ve been in an office relationship where one person involved is married.

The spark that starts a relationship can come at any time. Most romances begin at happy hour, (17%) followed by lunch, collaborating on a project and running into each other outside the office, (all 12%) as well as at the company Christmas party (11%) and during a late night at work (9%).

CareerBuilder offers three tips for those who think they’ve found love at the office. First, it’s always best to check the company handbook if you’re not sure about policies surrounding colleague relationships. Even if your employer doesn’t have a problem, be sure to proceed with caution, as 7% of those surveyed say they’ve left jobs because of a romance that turned sour.

Take steps to keep your professional and personal life separate. Avoid showing affection at work and never involve colleagues in disagreements. Around 44% of office couples say they have kept their relationship a secret, which is a good idea in some cases. Be careful what you post on social media, as you may reveal your romance before you’re ready to discuss it.