Over half of British office workers are scared to disclose their political beliefs fearing their colleagues will think less of them, a new survey has found. The poll by money saving site SaleLand.co.uk, asked 600 office workers how comfortable they were discussing politics in front of colleagues.

More than half, 57 percent, confessed to keeping their voting habits quiet for fear of creating agro with other colleagues. Of that 57 percent, the vast majority believed that their work mates would think less of them if their political affiliations were exposed. Only 13 percent per cent of those polled thought that their fellow office workers would think more of them if it was known how they voted. Almost a third, 32 percent, said they would admit which party they supported if asked directly, where as a bold 11 percent openly broadcast their political affiliations. Over a third, 36 percent, of workers deliberately avoided political conversations in the office for fear of their views being unpopular. However, less than one in ten, nine per cent, said that differing political views was a source of major office tension.

One man commented: “It’s never been the same with my colleagues after I told them I was voting UKIP, some really take the mick, and one or two no longer speak to me.” Another said: “I’m what you would call a swing voter. I’ve voted for all the main parties in my time but I would never dream of disclosing it to my colleagues. “My boss on the other hand is a huge Tory so I tend to be centre-right when I’m around him, you never know, it may get me a promotion.” A spokesperson for SaleLand.co.uk commented: “They say the two things you should never talk about are religion and politics, and our survey shows that for a majority of people, this is the case. “The trouble with politics is that public opinion can change so quickly, so by pinning your political colours to the mast you could be popular one day but ostracised the next. “However, it is very encouraging to see that only nine per cent of respondents found that politics caused serious animosity in the workplace. Perhaps some of our current politicians could take a leaf out of their book.”