Male boss constantly touching my arm/shoulder?

[sdfhkzbgh]

At work there was a shuffle and so as from Monday I have been in a new department with a new boss. I met him on Monday so have only worked with him for less than a week. For context I'm in my 20s.

He is constantly finding excuses to touch my arm/hands, e.g. to demonstrate something he will grab my hand to show me which is completely unnecessary. He also touches my shoulder and arm whenever he is talking to me and he winks a lot. I have a lot of young female colleagues and he does it to them too. I saw him pat a a male colleague on the shoulder too though so I'm not sure if it's that he just doesn't realise people don't want to be touched but I think there is a difference between a quick pat on the shoulder and rubbing your hand down someone's arm?

I don't know whether I'm being over the top about it but I don't really want him touching me or winking at me. I don't think it's done with any ill intent I just think he doesn't realise the boundaries of a workplace and thinks he's just being friendly.

Can I ask for your opinions on this situation? I've never really experienced this kind of thing at work before. Am I being a little OTT to be concerned?

Loud, clear, public and polite.
Guard your boundaries coz no one else will.

@Usagi12

Go and speak to HR and tell them what you've said here. Explain you understand he may well just be a tactile person who doesn't understand how it makes people feel. Ask they speak with him but not mention your name. We had a manager who did this (no nefarious intentions) who was surprised when a grievance for sexual harassment was made despite having been warned. He too did it to men and women and was just who he was.

This

No further incidents to report yesterday but there was another senior member of staff present at all times so that is perhaps why?

However, a few times it seems like he was looking at my chest when talking to me. It was just a second or so so nothing I can really call out as everyone's eyes do wander when talking to people but in the wider context it made me feel really uncomfortable. I was wearing a high neck top and everything so nothing more I can do to prevent that happening.

@EarringsandLipstick

There's no social distancing in my workplace due to the nature of the job but we all wear masks.

What kind of job do you do that there's no social distancing? I understand there might not be for specific tasks. But otherwise, you should be socially distancing.

Regarding the contact, I'm surprised that the first time he did it that you didn't react, as in an automatic reaction of shock / surprise. I don't mean that in a blaming way.

As PP have said, you need to tell him to stop. It can be clear & straight-forward, just 'please don't touch me like that'.

I don't want to say exactly what it is but it involves us having to share equipment, resources, computers, etc and so we have to work closely. Obviously in meetings we all sit 2m apart and where possible we will stay 2m apart but the bulk of the work day it's just not possible.

I told my line manager that I didn’t like being touched. She would grab my wrist in the corridor to talk to me (so I wouldn’t run away?!) I HATED it. She was forever patting my leg in meetings. I just told her very politely that I didn’t like being touched, she never did it again. Be brave, OP, you do not need to tolerate this.