The number of workers caught canoodling at work has skyrocketed over the past year, according to new research.

If it seems like more people are flirting around the water cooler at your office these days, it may not be your imagination.

Four out of 10 U.S. workers admit to being involved with another colleague at some point, according to a new survey by Spherion, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based employment firm, and Harris Interactive. A separate survey by Vault, a New York-based career publishing company, found that 17 percent of workers have actually been caught trysting on the job — up from just 2 percent last year.

Inc.com