Over a third of Brits sleep with their colleagues at their work Christmas party

...No chance for me in my One Woman Self Employment Status 😜

New insights into workplace relationships show British workers’ attitudes toward workplace relationships.

A new study on sex and relationships in the workplace conducted by Richard Nelson LLP has revealed that 37% of British workers sleep with their colleagues at, or after, their work Christmas party.

185 of the survey’s 499 participants indicated that they, or someone they know, have had sex with a colleague at or after a Christmas party. The employment lawyers at Richard Nelson LLP suggest that whilst there are no general rules preventing or governing relationships at work, the collision between the private and public spheres can be problematic.

Millennials were the highest percentage generational group to admit to this (respondents born between 1981-1996), with over a fifth admitting to having sex with a colleague at or after a Christmas party (21.64%).

With 65% of respondents saying that they have had sex with a colleague and 30% of respondents saying that they would talk about anything with colleagues, there is a real risk of an employee saying something that they may later regret.

Jayne Harrison, partner and head of employment law at Richard Nelson LLP, commented on the risks, “Having individuals who are involved in a relationship working alongside each other presents various legal and practical concerns for employers such as a lack of transparency or conflicts of interest or even liability under harassment and discrimination.”

40% of respondents said that they were aware of managers or directors having romantic relationships with less senior employees. Harrison also commented on the risks of relationships between a colleague and their senior. “There is the risk that other staff may feel that there is a lack of transparency in relation to workplace matters. Moreover, there are risks to the confidentiality of business information.

As set out above, there might be legal risks regarding discrimination and harassment. There could also be potential conflicts of interest or actual or perceived bias regarding things like recruitment, promotion, rostering, annual leave allocation, appraisals, discipline and grievance and other operational matters.”

The Numbers 👇🏾

Richard Nelson LLP surveyed 499 employed British adults for their Sex and Workplace Relationships study, conducted in September 2018. Please find further results below.

• 37% of respondents said that they, or someone they know, have had sex with a colleague at or after a Christmas party.

• 33% of respondents said that they, or someone they know, have had sex in their workplace.

• 65% of respondents said that they, or someone they know, have had sex with a colleague.

• 54% of millennial respondents said that they, or someone they know, have had sex with a colleague.

• 40% of respondents said that they were aware of managers or directors having romantic relationships with less senior employees.

• 37% of respondents said that they would consider a romantic relationship with a colleague if they were the right person.

• 29% of millennial respondents said that they have been on a date with a colleague, or had a relationship with a colleague, or is married to a colleague.

• 43% of respondents said that no workplace relationship is inappropriate