Survey finds flirting widespread in Irish workplace

Half of respondents to a recent RecuitIreland.com survey have admitted to flirting with a work colleague, it has been revealed today.

Some respondents admitted to a cheeky flirt by the photocopier but the majority chose email (62%) and 59% chose text as their preferred flirting medium.

Caution should be advised when flirting by email or text however, with 7% admitting to have sent the message to the wrong person.

The survey of more than 1,000 workers showed that more than half believe that Valentine’s Day is overrated or simply a money-spinning exercise for card shops and florists.

Commenting on the results, Emma Henry from RecruitIreland.com said: “More and more of our time is spent in the work environment and although we may be losing out on some work life balance one aspect that Irish workers seem determined not to leave behind is romance.

“With the availability of email, text and instant messaging it allows colleagues to be more forward and daring than they would be face to face so they may use it as a means of harmless flirting to break up the day.”

The survey also urges caution to those eager to drop on one knee this Thursday, as just more than half of respondents regarded it as “tacky”.

Men were hoping their partner might pop the question can forget about it, with a resounding 92% saying there is “no way” they would propose.

Office managers should be prepared for some disruption tomorrow, as eight out of 10 respondents surveyed think that it is acceptable for people to receive deliveries to their workplace on Valentine’s Day.

Many are likely to be left disappointed however, with only 27% having ever received a gift to their work.

Although flirting has moved into the workplace, it is still not the most popular location to meet a future partner (15%).

Almost three out of every 10 relationships are sparked up in a pub or night club.

The survey also found that up to 21% of respondents have forgotten to give his/her loved one a present on Valentine’s Day.