Told by boss to stop hugging in the office

[Ilovechcolatealways]

Evening all

I have been working at my current job for over 20 years so have built good relationships with most colleagues
I consider it part of my personality to hug certain colleagues. I usually hug hello / goodbye but sometimes also during the working day

We work in a stressful environment, therefore some days are worse than others and I like a hug to relieve stress !!!

Today I was called into an office by my boss and told that I must stop hugging in the workplace and it is not the 'done' thing at work.

In all of my time there, I have NEVER been told / asked to stop doing this.

The recipient's of the hugs always reciprocate the hug and none have ever told me they are uncomfortable with them. Obviously if they were then I would stop immediately and apologise. I have read our policies today and nowhere does it state that hugging is not allowed and I really don't want to stop.

Can anyone offer advice on how I can handle this ???

It is a bit strange. Maybe someone has complained but didn’t want to upset you so asked the boss to anonymise it?

You just need to stop surely? What do you mean, handle it?

This I guess

While I can see this might be upsetting for you, you handle it by not hugging anymore. It is likely someone you are hugging is uncomfortable with it and doesn’t feel able to say no or not reciprocate. It’s a professional environment and you have no need to get in anyone’s space like that. I have been on the receiving end of many unwanted hugs and I hate it!

Stop hugging people at work.

Your boss has a point. It isn't very professional. On the odd occasion if somebody comes back from a long absence or has had a bereavement that's fine. But otherwise no.

Just stop hugging - it's not a hardship.

If your boss hasn’t had an issue before then someone has complained.

nowhere does it state that hugging is not allowed and I really don't want to stop.

This is a bit intense OP 😳 did it not occur to you that it’s likely someone has complained but obviously doesn’t want to approach you directly? Get your physical affection somewhere that’s not a professional setting/your job.

I hug certain colleagues whom I haven’t seen for a while. But not at work. Hugging to distress with colleagues is weird and creepy. Stop it

It isn't appropriate and you probably have made someone feel uncomfortable and unable to tell you. Keep the hugs for outside work .

It puts your employer in a very awkward position should there ever be a complaint made and the comparison is made to your hugs.

I really love all my colleagues. Genuinely. But hugging is just too much. You're going to have to go cold turkey OP.

No mate. Just no, you can't go randomly hugging your colleagues during the working day. I'm perfectly affable and love a hug, but not in this scenario

I agree this is probably the case. Be honest, if someone asked you not to hug them, would you be all hurt and aghast at it, as you seem here? Maybe this is what they're trying to avoid.

Hugging is not appropriate in the workplace.

100%

Someone has complained, they didn’t feel comfortable telling you in person they aren’t your human stress ball. You need to stop hugging.

nowhere does it state that hugging is not allowed

I imagine there are all sorts of things not specifically forbidden but that you wouldn't do.

If I was at your workplace I'd be straight to HR to get them to tell you to stop touching me

Sounds as though someone has mentioned this to boss . Yes I would just stop especially if it’s multiple times a day . If you feel you need some emotional support from certain colleagues could you go out to lunch or for a coffee etc?

Some people (myself included) cannot stand to be hugged. Exceptions to this rule for me are close family members and children. However I would feel incredibly uncomfortable if someone at work hugged me. I'd also feel awkward about raising it.

You’ve been told to stop. There is nothing to “handle.” Stop hugging people. Just leave them alone.

You could say that there are countless things that aren't specified as not being allowed. But that doesn't mean you should do them.

You might not have been told to stop before...but you have now so that's a senseless argument.

I don't think you should be hugging people at work. People may not feel able to refuse your hugs.

Quite! What do the rules say about sex in the office?

Oh my goodness. I'd hate to be hugged like that. It's weird to hug colleague at work. I'm not surprised you've been asked to stop.