Hugging and kissing at work should be banned, employees say, as survey reveals social 'minefield' of greetings

Hugging and kissing in the office should be banned, employees insist, after a survey found increasing confusion and stress surrounding how to greet colleagues.

Many workers want an end to physical contact at work as one third of employees revealed they had been affected by "awkward" greetings from colleagues attempting to navigate the social “minefield”.

One in four of 2,000 adults questioned by jobs site Totaljobs said they had avoided a colleague or client because of they way they greeted people.

Meanwhile two out of five said they found greetings awkward and three out of four would support a ban on physical contact in the workplace, said the report.

“Whether it’s an unwanted hug, or a mistimed kiss on the cheek, our research suggests that workplace greetings have the potential to stray beyond awkward and could have a real impact on job satisfaction and productivity,” Alexandra Sydney, marketing director at Totaljobs, said.

“With one in four people telling us that they avoid meeting a peer or a client due to the greeting alone, it’s clear that boundaries need to be set in the workplace which promote a comfortable working environment and doesn’t impede on the working day. It stands to reason that feeling comfortable at work is closely aligned to feeling happy.

“This is why more than two thirds of workers are calling for clearer guidelines on the amount of contact, and greetings used in the workplace.”

A third of workers said their well-being had been affected by an awkward greeting, such an unexpected kiss or hug, or even an unwanted chest hug, according to the survey.

In total, 25% of respondents said they have become trapped in an unwanted hug, 19% have been on the receiving end of an unexpected kiss, 15% have received an unwanted chest touch, after one has opted for a handshake, the other a hug and 13% have had an accidental kiss on the mouth thanks to ill-timed air kisses. A further 12% have suffered an accidental headbutt

Most of those polled said they wanted clear guidance on appropriate greetings in the workplace.

Ms Sydney added that workplace guidelines which facilitate open and honest conversations between workers about physical contact offers employers the chance to have their team focused on the job at hand “– rather than whether they’re shaking hands at their next meeting”.

Jo Hemmings, a psychologist and leading body language expert, said that Interactions in the workplace have become a confusing and difficult terrain in recent years.

“Navigating what ostensibly seems like a simple ‘hello,’ is now a minefield for both initiator and recipient so no wonder two thirds of us want clear guidelines on interactions at work from awkward hugs to accident nose bumps,” she said.

“The recent #MeToo movement has encouraged people to start speaking out - including in the workplace - and has led to a plethora of changes in how we engage with colleagues. It has empowered people – both male and female – to speak out about abuse or discomfort with less fear of repercussions”.

“It’s clearly a highly complex, embarrassing, even humiliating subject and we all have an opinion on what is right and what is wrong. So, in an age where workers worry they may be called out by HR following a consensual hug with a colleague or a supportive hand on the shoulder, it is important for companies to step up and offer much-needed guidance for staff around the rules of engagement in the workplace.”