Casual Fridays - Widely Accepted, But What About Casual Relationships in the Workplace?; Ajilon Finance Survey Finds Love More Likely Found Outside of the Office.

Business & Lifestyle Editors

SADDLE BROOK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2003

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, is your co-worker's cube the best place to look for a date? A survey released today by Ajilon Finance, a global leader in accounting and financial staffing, found that nearly 6 out of 10 (58%) American working people, even if they were unmarried or unattached, would NOT date a co-worker. This recent survey, conducted for Ajilon Finance by Opinion Research, polled full-time and part-time workers age 18 and above.

More specifically, if you are a man looking for love in the workplace, you are less likely to find a female counterpart to comply. While almost half (45%) of American working men would date a co-worker, American working women are significantly less likely to do the same. Less than a third (30%) of women see dating a coworker as something they would consider an option.

So what does the boss have to say about all this? It seems office policy makers do have a hand in the office dating scene. Among workers in a company with a formal policy prohibiting workplace dating, only 26% would go against the policy and consider dating a co-worker, even if they are unmarried or unattached. Interestingly, 60% of employers included in the poll don't have any type of policy on office romance. In a workplace with an informal neutral policy, employees are more apt to follow their hearts, as 48% in this environment would consider dating a co-worker. It makes a difference when employees feel they are not prohibited.

Over the past decade, both men and women have become less inclined to date those with whom they work. "In many cases, the workplace has become increasingly competitive and stressful, especially in office environments," says Neil Lebovits, CPA, president and chief operating officer of Ajilon Finance. "Americans are more productive and are working more hours than ever. Women, for example, are attaining the highest executive levels and are competing more than ever for these jobs with men. Executives don't want to risk tainting their achievements in any way. All of these factors likely contribute to the decline in inter-office relationships." In a 1993 survey, where the very same question was asked, 59% of men were willing to date a co-worker; 33% higher than the 2003 survey in which only 45% of men reporter they would. Women's mentalities have made similar changes. In 1993, 36% of women said they would date a co-worker and in the 2003 survey that number dropped to 30%.

If you are a true office romantic, there are some places where more opportunity exists, according to the survey. Almost half (50%) of Blue Collar workers would date a co-worker, a significantly higher percentage than the 36% of White Collar workers who said they would do the same. With that in mind, profession may become a factor in finding a mate!

The current results are based upon telephone interviews with a representative of 648 adults, 18 years of age or older, who are employed either full-time of part time. Interviews were conducted by Opinion Research Corporation's Caravan between January 23 and January 26, 2003. The margin of error is approximately plus or minus 4%.

ABOUT AJILON PROFESSIONAL STAFFING, NORTH AMERICA 

Ajilon Professional Staffing is a leading specialty staffing and recruiting services firm and is part of the Adecco Group - the world's largest human resource solutions provider. The North American professional staffing division has three focus areas: Ajilon Finance, Ajilon Office and Ajilon Legal.

Ajilon Finance - previously AOC Accountants On Call, Accountants Overload and Financial Executive Search - specializes exclusively in the temporary and permanent placement of premier accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Ajilon Office, previously Millennium Staffing, offers clients executive administrative professionals on a temporary and permanent basis. Ajilon Legal, previously Co-Counsel, places highly qualified candidates in a wide range of specialized positions including attorneys, paralegals and legal support professionals.

ABOUT AJILON WORLDWIDE

Worldwide, Ajilon has professional staffing and managed services divisions in several disciplines including finance and accounting, legal, high-end office support, information technology, communications, sales and marketing, engineering and more. Ajilon has more than 500 offices operating in 18 countries in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information can be found on the World Wide Web at www.ajilon.com.