OFFICE Christmas parties this year will be a hotbed of romantic encounters with the boss and affairs with colleagues, according to a survey published today.

With millions of workers letting their hair down across the country, the annual company shindig looks set to be the perfect venue to let loose those pent-up passions.

A staggering 81 per cent of 1,200 office staff polled by the website Business365.com said they anticipated having a sexy encounter with their boss and 68pc were prepared to be unfaithful with a workmate at this year's office party.

A further 69pc of partygoers expected to "throw up" at some point during the night, 21pc thought it likely they would get arrested and nearly one in five believed they could lose their job as a result of their behaviour. Ireland came top when it came to plans for getting drunk and amorous.