12/02/2019
New jobs and promotions, baby and marriages news, a colleague who's moving out of the country. Should you go in for an embrace at work, even if the situation warrants it?
"I don't want to live in a world where we outlaw hugging in the workplace," said Denise Dudley, a behavioral psychologist. "But we also need a world where we all feel comfortable."
In the era of #MeToo, employers and workers are paying more attention to their actions in the workplace.
"In 2019, there are certain things -- including physical acts like hugging -- that we shouldn't be doing any more," said Mike Schmidt, an employment attorney at Cozen O'Connor law firm in New York City. "It's just not worth the risk."
But people have different comfort levels when it comes to touching. Some are natural huggers, while others might barely hug their loved ones and don't want to be touched by anyone at the office.
Different industries and workplaces have different cultures when it comes to hugging.
"People need to be socially savvy and culturally aware," said Jodi Smith, president of etiquette consulting firm Mannersmith.
She said that, in general, more conservative industries like finance or banking don't have a lot of hugging in the office, while industries like service or hospitality tend to be more open to touching.
Where you work can also play a role.
"In New York City and Boston there isn't as much hugging as you would see in Southern California," Smith said.
A person in a position of power should avoid giving out hugs.
"A higher-ranking person should almost never initiative a hug with a lower-ranking person," said Smith.
Asking if it's OK to give a hug also doesn't alleviate any pressure.
"It's likely they aren't going to be comfortable saying, 'no, you can't hug me,'" said Schmidt.
Hugs between two colleagues on the same level tend to be more acceptable if the appropriate cues are present.
"If one person doesn't have any sway over the other's career, doesn't sign a paycheck or bonus, and you are involved in each others' lives, you can give hugs," said Smith.
If you are debating whether or not to go in for a hug, look for clues that the recipient is open to it.
Avoiding eye contact or looking threatening -- as if warning not to get closer -- can signal that the person doesn't want to embrace, said Dudley.
So can looking down or stiffening one's shoulders.
"If the person's body is very closed into itself and arms are by their side and shoulders are a little raised, they might not welcome a hug," said Smith.
Load older comments...
Loading comments...
You've Been Timed Out
Please login to continue