Happy hour fraught with peril for workers: Survey

Workers drink too much, kiss colleagues and sing karaoke

Happy hour is a time to unwind after a hard day's work and can be a chance for colleagues to bond. However, a recent survey by CareerBuilder.com found happy hour can turn decidedly unhappy for some workers.

The following are some of the regrettable activities workers engaged in during happy hour celebrations with colleagues:

• 16 per cent said they talked negatively or inappropriately about a co-worker or manager.

• 10 per cent said they shared a secret or confidence about a co-worker.

• Eight per cent kissed one of their co-workers, and another eight per cent admitted they drank too much and acted unprofessionally.

• Five per cent breached a confidence or secret about the company.

• Four per cent of workers admitted, with regret, that they sang karaoke.

The survey found 20 per cent of workers attend happy hour festivities with co-workers at least once a month and most (82 per cent) do so to bond with co-workers, while 11 per cent go to have quality time with the boss.

Men and women are equally likely to attend happy hour events and workers aged 25 to 34 are the most likely to unwind with colleagues after work.

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