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Recent evidence has revealed that the number of people hugging at work is on the rise. A 2016 survey discovered that over 50% of executives working in the marketing and advertising sector said that hugging among colleagues was a regular occurrence – a third more than in 2011. Experts believe the laidback culture found in many workplaces today is the reason for the increase in hugging.
Is this kind of physical contact really appropriate at work? In a US study from 2016, which aimed to gather statistics on sexual harassment in the fast food industry, 25% of participants said they had been hugged inappropriately by colleagues.
For most of us the rules on hugging will not be set out in the employment contract or in the employer’s written policies and procedures. It is therefore the individual circumstances that determine if a hug would be appropriate or not. In a typical workplace, there is likely to be a mix of huggers and non-huggers so it is important to be open about your preferences and respect those of others.
The chief executive of Welsh networking events business Introbiz said, “we are quite a friendly team, and usually give a kiss on the face, both cheeks, when we are familiar with them. But if you don't know them, best not to kiss or hug, because you don't know how they will take it. You have to be careful.”
Deborah Wallsmith assistant professor of anthropology at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, explained that whether someone is comfortable with hugging or not depends on their relationship with you and their general attitude to hugging. According to Wallsmith, “the one armed side-by-side hug, where the huggers are standing next to each other, and extend their adjacent arms around each other's waist” is the preference for most workers. Whereas, “the most objectionable is the full-frontal squeeze that goes on forever.” Wallsmith herself finds hugs from former bosses and professors uncomfortable.
Kara Deringer, who provides coaching and training services to businesses, believes context is crucial. While hugging can be useful for establishing business relationships, Ms Deringer’s advice is that people should be careful not to be misunderstood. She recommends that employees should ask for hugs or use their colleague’s body language as a cue. “If they reach out their hand? I've got it, they're hand shaker or a high fiver.”
While all this sounds like common sense, it can be difficult for people who work in an office of huggers to say with any courage that they don’t want to take part. For those who feel unease, it is best to make this known or try extending a hand for a handshake to clearly communicate your boundaries.
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