As workers in London prepare to party at Christmas a survey says they could be losing more than their dignity at the office bash.

Some people have seen colleagues fired at the seasonal event.

And 9% of people questioned had handed in their notice, according to a survey by jobs.telegraph.co.uk.

Nearly half of the 1000 people taking part in the survey had insulted their boss and a quarter of them had demanded a pay rise while partying.

Christopher Lloyd, head of jobs.telegraph.co.uk said: "Obviously workers in London like to let their hair down at the office Christmas party, but for many all decorum goes out of the window and the consequences can be far reaching.

Thrown punches

"We have always seen an increase in job hunting and job advertising in the New Year - maybe these results reveal why."

54% of London's festive partygoers had been caught canoodling with colleagues and 33% had thrown punches during the celebrations.

Some people had tried their hardest to avoid the office party - with 25% lying about their whereabouts, 13% feigning illness and 9% even booking a holiday.

The survey shows that more than one in 10 London respondents had started a relationship at the festivities.

A quarter of the workers questioned had met their future spouse over the punch bowl and peanuts.

But there is a legal warning to all employers.

The law says employers are responsible for their staff's behaviour and the office party is an extension of work.