The survey found that over half of respondents had engaged in an office romance. The most common types were random hookups and casual relationships. While most pursued these romances, 38% avoided them to prevent issues. Married affairs and trips were also common knowledge. Respondents were less comfortable with romances between close coworkers and in the same department. While some remain open to future office romances, women were more likely than men to avoid them going forward due to risks.

1. Vault Office Romance Survey
2013
www.vault.com

2. Have You Ever…
44% No
…participated in an office romance? 56%
Yes
50%
44% No, I've never participated in
an office romance
A majority of
respondents stated 40% Yes, a random office hookup
they have engaged in
an intra-office 30% Yes, ongoing but casual
relationship
romance, with the
21% 21%
most common being 20% 17% Yes, a long-term, serious
relationship
"random hookups"
and "casual 11% Yes, I met my spouse/partner
relationships." 10% at work
3%
Yes, other
0%
www.vault.com

3. Dodged That Bullet!
Have you ever avoided a potential romance that you
would have otherwise pursued, specifically to avoid an
"office romance"?
Despite that 38% No
majority, nearly 40% of
respondents said that they 62%
have also consciously
taken action to avoid an
Yes
office romance.
“Too many risks; as a woman to be taken seriously you cannot do this at all, even if it is
mutual. Otherwise your perception amongst other women is no better than that of a
husband-stealer, never mind the men's viewpoint on it—it's a no-win situation.”
www.vault.com

4. Can’t Buy Me Love
Does the shaky economy make you
more or less willing to take romantic
risks at work?
Although most participants say they
are adamant in their position on
27% hooking up at work, 27% say the bad
economy has dampened their
inclination to do so.
65%
4%
No effect More willing Less willing
www.vault.com

5. We’re Just Good Friends
While the majority of participants answered negatively, more women than men
reported having an "office spouse.”
Do you have an office "husband"
“I know this guy is happily
or "wife"? This is someone with
married, but we enjoy each other's
whom you do not have a romantic sense of humor and since we are
relationship, but you hang out both older and wiser, we are better
together all of the time (on able to handle a strong friendship
breaks, at lunch, etc.). without the complication of a
romance. It is fun to flirt, but
nothing more. And it is good on the
31% ego!”
69%
No Yes
www.vault.com

6. Do Not Disturb
Have you ever…
* Respondents who have engaged in an office romance
“Got caught in my boss' office after
breaking a couple of pictures and
knocking over a chair.”
Had a tryst
in the 35%
office
According to
Been participants, hook-ups in the
caught in office itself aren't unheard
the middle 5% of, but aren't entirely
of a tryst in
the office commonplace either. Being
caught in the midst of
one, however, occurs more
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
frequently in movies and
television than it does in the
real world.
www.vault.com

7. They’re Just Jealous…
If you participated in an office “Nobody knew about it (I think)”
romance, did it impact your personal
or professional relationships with “Management is aware and we are
other coworkers? assigned to different teams.”
“We both had previous relationships
with people at work--it was
awkward.”
24%
No “He doesn't work directly on my
Yes team, but we have many mutual
office friends. If anything, people are
very supportive of our relationship.”
76%
www.vault.com

8. TMI?
Have you ever …
80%
71%
Yes
70% 65% No
60%
The majority of
respondents generally
50%
adopt an “it's none of
40% 35% my business” attitude
30%
29% when it comes to their
co-workers' office love
20%
lives, though some still
10% take notice when these
0%
relationships seem to
Felt uncomfortable because of co-workers' Felt that a co-worker gained a professional help advance careers.
intra-office romantic relationships advantage because of a romantic relationship
with a co-worker/superior
“No one sleeps together. But they flirt like crazy, and that totally affects who gets special treatment.
Integral to the office culture.”
www.vault.com

9. Forbidden Love: Married Affairs
Have you ever ...
70%
Yes
58%
60%
“There are all kinds of 53% No
hook-ups, especially on 50% 47%
business trips. I do think 42%
40%
that those individuals
who hook up with co- 30%
workers also engage in
20%
extramarital affairs
outside of the office too 10%
(I don't think the office
0%
environment is what Known a married co-worker to have an affair Known a married or seriously involved co-
drives their affairs). at the office worker who had a romantic liaison while on a
business trip for the company
More than half of respondents say they know about married
co-workers' affairs.
www.vault.com

10. When It’s Not Cool:
35% Co-workers in different office
locations
Co-workers in different departments
30%
Co-workers at the same level
25% Co-workers in the same office
location
Survey People at different companies who
respondents are 20% interact
less comfortable Co-workers who work on projects
with romances together
between co- 15% Co-workers in the same department
workers who work
closely together. Co-workers at different levels
10%
None; all office romances are
acceptable
5% Office romances are never
acceptable
Other
0%
www.vault.com

11. Encore—Do You Want More?
Based on your experience, would you participate in an
office romance again?
70% 64% While the majority of
60% respondents are open to
50% pursuing an office romance in
40% 36%
the future, women are more
30%
likely than men to opt out next
20%
time around.
10%
0%
Yes No
Do it Again? By Gender
80% “It is not worth the risks
71%
70% involved—office jealousy, rivalry
57%
60% and potential harassment and
50% 43% legal issues. There are lots of fish
40%
29% Men in the sea, so why fish at your
30%
Women company's pond?”
20%
10%
0%
Yes No
www.vault.com