Infidelity and office Christmas parties - the shocking truth

Office Christmas parties are the starting point for many workplace affairs.
Photo:  istockphoto.com / Anastasia Pelikh

Office Christmas parties can lead to workplace affairs.

Every December, as part of my annual Christmas Infidelity Awareness Campaign, I warn men and women to accompany their spouse or significant other to the office Christmas party at their job, as a safeguard against workplace affairs. (See Attend Your Mate’s Office Christmas Party to Discourage Workplace Affairs.)

Some people take me seriously, and heed the warning - especially those who have been victims of workplace infidelity in the past.

But others think I’m exaggerating the danger, or blowing things out of proportion when I say that office Christmas parties have become breeding grounds for workplace affairs.

I invite the skeptics to examine the statistics below.

Shocking Statistics on Office Christmas Parties and Workplace Affairs

Office Christmas parties are often a catalyst for workplace infidelity. One private investigation firm found that of all the times for a workplace affair to begin, it’s most likely to occur at the annual Christmas party or similar company-sponsored social event.

There are numerous infidelity studies, polls and surveys which bear that out, including the ones cited below. 

 • In a survey conducted by Men's Health magazine, 44% of the males said they'd had an affair with a co-worker at a holiday office party at least once in their life.

• In a survey by Trojan Condoms, 49% of the employees expressed their willingness to “go all the way” with a fellow employee at the Christmas party if the opportunity presented itself.

• Almost 33% of those in the Trojan survey said they’d previously had sex with a colleague during or after an office Christmas party.

• A survey conducted by Canon revealed that 1/3 of the workers either kissed a co-worker, or ended-up going home with them after the company Christmas party.

• 16.4 % of people in the GMTV office party survey said they became intimate with a colleague at the office Christmas party

• In a more recent survey, 33% of the males said they were interested in getting more ‘personal’ with their colleagues at the office Christmas party. Almost 25% of the female employees in that same study said their boss has made a pass at them during such events.

• In Party411.com’s survey, 20% agreed that many extramarital affairs begin at office Christmas parties.

• 64% of the office workers in the OfficeSMART survey said they personally knew of affairs that started at their office Christmas party.

• In an online poll conducted by Tickle.com, about 41 percent of employees said they would flirt back if a co-worker hit on them during a holiday party .

• 1 out of every 4 people in the CareerOne.com.au office romance survey said they hooked up with someone at the office Christmas party.

• 41% of the 18-30 year old office workers in another study admitted getting together with a co-worker at their annual Christmas party. 13% said they’d actually had sex at the event, but only 6% of them got caught.

• 1 out of 5 women in the WorldWIT survey became romantically involved with a colleague at an office party.

• 33% of the above mentioned women admitted to having an affair following their office party fling, and a year or more later, 13% of them were still romantically involved.

• A London survey found that 1 in 10 respondents started a relationship at the company Christmas party. 25% of those questioned said that’s how they met their future spouse.
 

These are just a few of the statistics on office parties, sexual behavior and workplace affairs. Numerous other studies and surveys show similar results.

Safeguard Your Marriage or Relationship

If your spouse or significant other’s company is having an annual Christmas party this year and guests are invited, I strongly recommend that you attend with your mate. In view of the overwhelming evidence above, you can see why. Being there will act as a deterrent to a workplace affair. (See Attend Your Mate’s Office Christmas Party to Discourage Workplace Affairs.)

If You Suspect Workplace Infidelity

If you suspect that your spouse or significant other is already involved in a workplace affair, you have all the more reason to accompany them to the annual Christmas party at their job. Office Christmas parties have a way of exposing workplace affairs. (See Office Christmas Parties Can Reveal Workplace Affairs.)

If your spouse or significant other is romantically involved with someone they work with, their behavior or body language will give them away. But knowing what to look for is the key.

For tips on what to look for, follow the suggestions in my free tip sheet, “What to Look for at the Office Christmas Party if You Suspect a Workplace Affair.” To get a free copy, e-mail InfidelityInfo@gmail.com  with “What to Look For - Xm” in the subject line.

For other articles in the Christmas Infidelity Awareness Campaign, see the list below, or the list on the right of this page.

*** © copyright 2009 Ruth Houston

Ruth Houston is a New York-based infidelity expert who is frequently called on by the media to comment on infidelity issues in the news. She is the author of Is He Cheating on You? - 829 Telltale Signs, the founder of InfidelityAdvice.com and publishes the Infidelity News and Views blog.

For more information on infidelity, cheating mates, and extramarital affairs, see:

Office Christmas Parties Can Reveal Workplace Affairs.

What to Look for at the Office Christmas Party if you Suspect a Workplace Affair (free tip sheet)

Attend Your Mate’s Office Christmas Party to Discourage Workplace Affairs

Christmas is the Ideal Time to Catch a Cheating Mate

8 Gift-related Signs of Infidelity to Be Alert for at Christmastime

13 Things Everyone Should Know About Signs of Infidelity

Is He Cheating? Is She Cheating? – 21 Ways You Can Tell  (free tip sheet)

Is He Cheating on You? – 829 Telltale Signs (soft cover book)

Is He Cheating on You? – 829 Telltale Signs (e-book version)

Infidelity Resources to Help You Catch a Cheating Mate

Free Infidelity Tip Sheets and Special Reports