UK Singles See Spike In Workplace Hookups

As the festive season approaches, a new report from Superdrug Online Doctor suggests that increasing dissatisfaction in personal relationships is driving more Brits to seek romantic or sexual connections at work. The survey finds that 32% of respondents say they have hooked up with a co-worker, with Millennials (34%) and Gen X (36%) leading the trend.

The data points to a broader undercurrent of frustration with intimacy and communication in many relationships. Nearly 18% of respondents report being dissatisfied with their sex lives, citing lack of frequency (16%) or variety (15%) as major factors, while around 10% say frequency is extremely important to their satisfaction. The youngest adults surveyed (aged 16–24) reported similar levels of dissatisfaction.

Breakdowns in communication appear to be a significant element. According to the study, 14% of people feel uncomfortable expressing their sexual needs to a partner, and 23% admit they never give feedback, contributing to a sense that 32% feel their sexual needs go unmet. Meanwhile, stress, mismatched libido, body-image issues, and lack of opportunity were cited as key obstacles to intimacy.

These dynamics may help explain why workplace connections are on the rise, particularly as Christmas parties and holiday socialising increase opportunities for interaction outside the home. The study suggests that when people feel unseen or unmet in their relationships, familiarity and shared experiences with co-workers may feel like a source of attention or even comfort.

As Sex and relationship therapist Gemma Nice states: “We spend approximately 31 hours per week with our colleagues, often more than with our partners, and this extended proximity can foster a level of comfort that makes it easier to communicate as we may feel less judged and more able to speak freely and vent.”