Most company directors don't want to be lied to by their employees but many are comfortable with those same employees lying to customers, according to research from The Aziz Corporation.

The survey also showed that female bosses are more at ease with lying in the workplace.

Much like findings of child psychologists, the survey found that attitudes to lying in the workplace depend, in part, on the purpose of the lie.

And while only 3% of those questioned believe it acceptable to lie when making an expenses claim, a surprisingly large 14% are comfortable with employees lying on their CVs.

Professor Khalid Aziz, chairman of the Aziz Coroporation, says: 'Senior business leaders regard occasional lies from employees as more acceptable than poor time keeping and no worse than absenteeism.'

Falling in love at work may soon be subject to strict contractual burdens, according to the Trade Unions Congress, which says firms are planning to introduce policies aimed at tackling workplace relationships.

In particular, the measures would be used when such relationships go wrong and sweet nothings are replaced by bitter recriminations. However, such contracts may be in breach of the Human Rights Act.

It is estimated that one in four relationships start at work.

Earlier last month, Boeing sacked its chief executive, Harry Stonecipher, a married-father-of-two, after an inquiry into 'a personal relationship' between him and a female co-worker, describing his actions as 'inconsistent with Boeing's code of conduct'.