10% employees believe dating colleagues can cut chances of promotion

A new survey has revealed that many people steer clear of dating heir colleagues for the fear that it may hamper their chances of a promotion.

The survey shows seven of 10 employees believe openly dating a colleague could hurt their job security or a shot at promotion.

The survey commissioned by Monster Worldwide, the internet job-hunt company, indicated that 68% of workers felt workplace romances caused office conflicts, while 61% believed ardour in the office was a distraction.

A full 48% said they would never even consider an interoffice indiscretion. And just 10% said they would date their boss; only 8% of bosses said they would date an underling.

John Heins of Monster said that hard times were likely responsible for the romantic reticence.

"When facing an economic environment where mass layoffs, restructuring and unemployment reign, workers appear less willing to risk their jobs for love," the New York Daily News quoted him as saying.