Workplace romances continue to blur professional boundaries for a small share of U.S. workers, according to new survey data from career experts TopResume.
Some employees are engaging in romantic relationships with colleagues while in another relationship—often with real consequences on focus and productivity.
Of the 900 full-time U.S. professionals surveyed, nearly one in 10 (9.78%) admit they have had a romantic or sexual relationship with a colleague while already in another relationship in the past 12 months, including 6% who say it has happened in the past six months alone. Beyond the year, an additional 12.78% report having done so more than 12 months ago, suggesting that workplace affairs may be far more common than people realize.
The data also suggests that workplace attraction can extend beyond relationships and into day-to-day performance at work. One in 10 U.S. professionals (10%) say they’ve had a workplace crush in the past 12 months that has negatively impacted their productivity, including 4.11% who experienced this distraction within the last six months.
Men are five times more likely than women to report workplace affairs
The research revealed a significant gender disparity in workplace infidelity. More than one in 10 men (10.63%) admit that they’ve cheated at work with a colleague in the past six months alone, more than five times the share of women who report the same (2.38%). Looking further back, another 15.19% of male professionals admit to a workplace affair occurring more than a year ago, compared to around one in 10 women (10.89%).
Men are also more likely to report productivity disruptions linked to workplace crushes. Almost one in six men (13.67%) say they’ve had a workplace crush that has impacted their productivity within the last 12 months, double the number of female professionals who reported the same (7.12%). A further fifth of men (18.99%) stated that this happened more than 12 months ago, compared to only 13.66% of women.
Younger professionals lead in workplace romances
The data also revealed clear generational divides, with younger professionals far more likely to report recent workplace relationships overlapping with other commitments.
Gen Z stands out as the most likely to admit to a recent workplace affair, with 9.15% reporting a romantic relationship with a colleague while already in another relationship within the last six months alone. Millennials follow closely, with 7.52% admitting to cheating with a colleague during the same timeframe. By comparison, just 3.78% of Gen X professionals report similar behavior in the past six months.
While the younger generations are more likely to report recent experiences, workplace affairs aren’t limited to early-career professionals. Around one in 10 (9.80%) Gen Zers and one in seven (12.81%) millennials report that they cheated with a workplace colleague more than a year ago. Similar patterns emerge among older employees, with 13.37% of Gen X and nearly one in five baby boomers (18.18%) admitting to the same over 12 months ago.
Workplace crushes also appear most disruptive among younger workers. More than a third of Gen Z professionals (34.64%) say they’ve had a workplace crush that negatively affected their productivity, compared to 27.3% of millennials and 22.68% of Gen X. Boomers report the lowest levels overall, with just 11.36% saying workplace attraction has impacted their performance.
“Taken together, the findings suggest younger professionals are more likely to experience recent workplace romance and distraction, while older generations’ experiences are more often rooted further in the past,” TopResume said.
Amanda Augustine, resident career expert for TopResume and a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC), said, “Office relationships certainly aren’t new. What stands out here is how often these situations involve people who are already in relationships, and how quickly they can take a toll on focus and performance. That’s usually a sign of deeper issues at play, whether it’s burnout, blurred boundaries, or feeling disconnected at work. Employers can’t control who people develop feelings for, but they can create environments where employees feel supported, respected, and clear on expectations. When people feel engaged and valued, they’re far less likely to seek connection or distraction in ways that ultimately hurts their productivity … or their careers.”
The survey was conducted by TopResume in January 2026, gathering insights from 900 full-time U.S. workers.
Photo credit: artursfoto/iStock
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