A survey conducted by Your Sexual Health has revealed a troubling trend among UK workers during the Christmas party season. Findings show that 7.6 million workers (19%) have admitted to cheating on their partners, with an additional 4 million (10%) stating they would consider it.

The research, surveying 2,000 UK workers, highlights that nearly 1 in 5 (29%) have or would engage in infidelity with a client, colleague, or even their boss during festive celebrations.

Attitudes to cheating

The survey uncovered mixed perceptions about what constitutes infidelity. Nearly half (40%) of respondents did not consider kissing a colleague at a work Christmas party as cheating. Astonishingly, a third (33%) dismissed the idea of an affair with a colleague being classified as unfaithful.

The implications go beyond emotional consequences. The survey found that one-third (33%) of respondents admitted to having or being willing to have unprotected sex with a colleague, client, or boss, posing significant health risks.

Dr Bani, medical director at Your Sexual Health, issued a stark warning: “Unprotected sex during the party season is putting high numbers of Brits at a greater risk of catching and spreading sexually transmitted diseases. This is why we often see a surge in cases in the new year, particularly of conditions such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, which are already the most prevalent in the UK.”

Dr Bani also stressed the importance of regular sexual health checks, stating that almost a quarter of respondents would not seek an STD test after engaging in unprotected sex with a co-worker.

Who is most likely to cheat?

The survey shed light on demographics more prone to infidelity during the festive period. Workers in entry-level roles ranked as the most likely to cheat, followed closely by those in director-level positions. The age group most likely to engage in such behaviour was those aged 45–54, with 22% admitting to infidelity during the Christmas season.

Sex in the workplace

The office Christmas party often serves as a backdrop for illicit encounters, with some workers even engaging in sexual activity at the workplace. While most incidents occur at someone’s home or in a hotel, one in twenty of those who admitted to such encounters said they happened at their place of work. But this behaviour carries significant risks – one in ten individuals who engaged in workplace sex admitted to getting caught.

Dr Bani urged workers to practise safe sex and highlighted the consequences of unprotected encounters, which could lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or disciplinary actions if caught in the act.

Preventing STIs during the festive season

Dr Bani provided the following advice to minimise the risk of STIs during the Christmas season:

• Get tested. If you engage in sexual activity with a new partner during this period, ensure you get tested afterwards for common STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and HIV.
• Don’t test too early. Accurate results require appropriate timing – 28 days for standard tests or 14 days for early detection tests.
• Use protection. Condoms are not foolproof but significantly reduce the risk of STI transmission. Testing is still recommended even if protection is used.
• Be honest. Transparency with sexual partners about health history is key to mutual safety.
• Recognise other risks. Non-sexual acts such as needle-sharing can transmit HIV and hepatitis.

Dr Bani also highlighted discreet testing options available through Your Sexual Health, including at-home kits and in-person clinic appointments.

As the Christmas season approaches, the findings serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of sexual health awareness.