Around one in three sales people admit to securing clients by flirting, according to a survey by Pareto Law.

It found that men are more likely than women to lure a client into accepting a deal by using sexual banter. It found 35% of men believe it is an acceptable sales technique, compared with 28% of women.

“These results are very worrying and show how much pressure many sales people feel they are under to win new business,” says Jonathan Fitchew, joint managing director of Pareto Law.

The recruitment agency says company should provide training so sales people never feel that sex is the only option when it comes to selling products or services.