Flirting in the workplace is no longer common practice

Is romance in the workplace dead? Most U.S. workers seem to be saying, “yes,” according to a national survey. The survey found that 78 percent say they have not flirted with a co-worker.

The survey, conducted by Harris Interactive for the Marlin Company, the workplace communication experts, found workplaces are a far cry from hotbeds of romance. Four out of five workers (80 percent) say that flirting between co-workers is not common.

“I believe people are reacting to and fearful of engaging in any behavior that can be construed as sexual harassment,” said Dr. Marianne LaFrance, a professor of psychology at Yale University.

“The survey findings were surprising as many people know someone who has found a spouse or significant other in the workplace. But the survey results don’t mean we should throw out all the Hollywood scripts of office romance,” said Frank Kenna III, president of The Marlin Company.

"While some flirting is obviously going on, what it suggests is that increased training regarding appropriate behavior is having its intended impact. We know that that companies are vigorously educating employees on what constitutes sexual harassment or the appearance of it and this is manifesting itself in a more business-like work atmosphere at all times."

The survey found men more likely than women to have flirted at the office and more likely to be ready to become romantically involved with a co-worker. While married workers are less likely to have flirted than their unmarried counterparts, there is still a sizeable percentage of married workers (17 percent) who say they engage in flirting with a co-worker.

Unmarried workers are nearly twice as likely as married workers to be aware of situations where an employee advances in his or her career as a result of romantic involvement with another worker. Similarly, workers in medium-size and large companies are more likely to be aware of this type of advancement.