Cupid’s bow strikes all too often in many offices – but how exactly does love first blossom? And what happens outside of working hours?
Workplace romances are an inevitable occurrence – they may be an absolute nightmare or they may lead to nuptials – you never can tell. But have you ever considered just how many of your co-workers have copped-off together? It might be more than you think…
With Valentine’s Day less than two weeks away, market research firm Harris Interactive has shed a little light on the inner workings of the office romance. Here are some of their most interesting findings:
- 38 per cent of workers said they’d dated a co-worker at least once over the course of their career.
- 17 per cent admitted they’d dated co-workers at least twice.
Of those who had engaged in an office romance at some point, Harris Interactive found the following:
- 31 per cent said their office ardour led them to the altar.
- 18 per cent said they’d dated their own boss.
- 28 per cent said they’d dated someone above them in the company hierarchy.
- Women are more likely to date someone higher up than men – 35 per cent of ladies said they’d dated further up the ladder, while only 23 per cent of men had.
- 37 per cent said they’d kept their workplace romance under-wraps.
In the business of love
It seems certain industries are much more prone to an office fling than others. At 47 per cent – way above the national average – people in the hospitality industry were most likely to engage in a workplace fling.
Financial services followed closely behind with 45 per cent, transportation and utilities came in at 43 per cent, information technology came in at 40 per cent and health care took fifth place with 38 per cent.
- 19 per cent of all workers said they were more attracted to people who had a similar job to them.
- 26 per cent of workers said a person’s profession would influence their decision to date them.
Romantic catalysts
The survey also strove to find out exactly how workplace romance first blossomed and it seems cupid strikes best while outside of the office.
- 13 per cent said their romance had begun as a result of running into each other outside of work.
- Alcohol played a part for 12 per cent of workers, who said happy hours were where it all began. What a surprise…
- 11 per cent of respondents said their affair began over lunch – they do say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
- 10 per cent said late nights at work led to the kindling of affection.
