Office Romance - More than half of UK bosses have the hots for one of their employees

Some 57 per cent of managers have admitted to having a secret thing for a staff member with 30 per cent even going one step further and SLEEPING with the object of their affections.

But the poll, by video recruitment website www.jobs2view.com, revealed that a cheating 25 per cent of those are married.

Almost a third of employers have had a relationship with a member of staff and a staggering one in five have had an affair with a worker behind their partner's back.

Their dirty deed soon caught up with them though as 14 per cent of those were caught by their other half and another 17 per cent were found out by their boss.

However, a lucky three quarters of those say their manager didn't do anything after catching them at it.

A fifth of managers have had a one-night stand with an employee with the majority of those taking place on a work-night out.

Another 22 per cent got down to it at the Christmas party and 17 per cent even had sex when they were working late together in the office.

Some of the liaisons are one-sided though as 14 per cent think their employees are only sleeping with them in an attempt to climb the career ladder.

But 17 per cent of sly bosses admit to taking advantage of this.

It's not all quick flings when it comes to office romances either - a third of bosses have had a relationship with an employee, with ten per cent of those still together now.

The poll, of 2,000 bosses, also revealed that men really do fancy their secretary or PA with 39 per cent admitting they have the hots for their assistant.

Almost 16 per cent of managers have even hired someone purely because of the way they look and 14 per cent reckon they would prefer to give the job to someone who looked stunning but was rubbish at the job rather than a really good but ugly candidate.

A third have also let a staff member off the hook for doing something wrong because they fancy them.

Jon Glas, managing director of www.jobs2view.com, said: ''These results are amusing. Everyone talks about colleagues having a bit of office romance but who would have thought so many bosses are getting involved with one of their employees?

''Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, getting involved with the boss can be riddled with problems as the employee will have to get used to being told what to do by their other half.

''Also, if it all goes wrong, you still have to work together afterwards which can be difficult.

''Bosses also need to be careful as some employees could just see it as a quick promotion opportunity.''

Regions most likely to fancy a member of their staff
1. Wales
2. North West
3. Scotland
4. South West
5. Midlands
6. London
7. South East
8. North East
9. Ireland

Most likely to have an affair with a member of staff
1. Wales
2. Ireland/ Scotland
3. South East
4. North East
5. London
6. North West
7. Midlands
8. South West