AN OUTBREAK OF 'frolleagues' on social networking sites means possible career danger for some.

For those of you who don't know (and we're assuming there are quite a few) a 'frolleague' is a colleague who requests you as an online friend.

Previously, mixing business and pleasure was something people usually only did at drunken office Christmas parties, but thanks to social networks, these worlds are colliding.

A recent survey conducted by business focused social network LinkedIn, revealed that 47 per cent of the UK runs the risk of damaging their careers by mixing professional and personal contacts online.

This outbreak is a serious concern, as a shocking 36 per cent of Brits feel obliged to add a professional contact as a personal one, which could be absolutely life-threatening if they then spot those drunken photos from your last holiday that you've been tagged in.

Frolleagues are becoming a far more regular occurrence in our social networking circles and for those of you who keep your sordid private lives outside of work, this is a serious problem.

"There have been plenty of stories lately involving the type of behaviour that is completely inappropriate for a work environment - people need to realise that even virtual actions can have very real consequences," said Cristina Hoole of LinkedIn.

Although rather alien now Frolleagues is expected to become a far more familiar term soon enough, as due to the epidemic in Britain, the Oxford English Dictionary is considering it for inclusion in its next revision.

After realising the seriousness of this outbreak, LinkedIn decided they must come up with an antidote, it's come up with some of the things you can do to prevent an infection of frolleagues in your workplace.

Always consider what you post online, only contact a colleague on a social level if you already have this relationship with them outside of work and most importantly stand strong – don't be afraid to turn down an invitation, as you can't go back once they've seen what you get up to on weekends. µ