London: Employers be warned: UK workers who schedule Wednesday meetings are potentially going to a job interview and regular Friday afternoon meetings could be an excuse for a rendezvous with their lover. A survey of 167 companies revealed a growing trend of so-called “me me meetings,” out-of-office meetings used to cover a more personal encounter.

The poll, by Genesys Conferencing, showed 81 per cent of office workers admitted arranging meetings to fit in with personal activities.

It also showed that over half of their colleagues were suspicious of the motives behind the meetings for which many of their workmates left the office. Genesys said the most popular reason for a “me me meeting” was to get away early for the weekend. But the survey also showed Friday afternoons were the best for meeting lovers or to go shopping. Monday mornings were the most popular time for scheduling a meeting to mask looking after the children and Wednesdays were the preferred time for job interviews.