Benefits February 7, 2007

Flirts Flourish in Western Workplaces: Survey

February 7, 2007 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - The "flirtiest" co-workers reside in the Western United States, where 45% of working adults claim they have flirted with a colleague, according to a new survey.
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That compares with just 37% in the South, 32% who said they have flirted with coworkers in the Midwest, and 34% in the Northeast, according to a survey released by Randstad USA. Men were three times as likely to have a secret crush at work (12% of men, compared to 4% of women) – but of the women surveyed, 53% have had an “office spouse” or someone at work with whom they confide about personal matters and relationship issues, compared to 42% of men.

Perhaps not surprisingly, on a nationwide basis more men (41%) than women admitted flirting with a coworker – but not by much, since nearly one-in-three women admitted to doing so.

“After” Ours

The survey found that two-thirds (66%) of working adults enjoy socializing with co-workers outside the workplace. Those in the South (41%) and Midwest (35%) like socializing with co-workers at company parties, while Northeasterners favor dinner (37%). Happy hour was also a popular response for working adults nationwide (28%).

Other survey findings:

  • 37% of all working adults have flirted with a colleague
  • 8% currently have a secret crush at work.
  • 17% of all working adults have secretly dated someone from work.
  • 25% of men – and 12% of women – have rated co-workers with terms such as “most datable” or “best looking.”

The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Randstad USA from January 22-24, 2007, via its QuickQuery online omnibus, interviewing a nationwide sample of 2,383 U.S. adults aged 18 and over, among whom 1,522 were employed. Data were weighted to reflect the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity, and propensity to be online.

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