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 ???