Some poeple need to pay more attention to Hug Nation

[SykkBoy]

To Hug or Not to Hug

The evolving rules of embracement engagement for the office

Julie Malveaux could use a good hug.

She grew to enjoy the fond embrace -- and occasional cheek kiss -- with which clients and co-workers greeted her while at her former job for a public-relations firm in Miami.

"It felt weird at first. Then you realize it's just not that unusual," she said. "It was very clear that it was just a greeting or a good-bye ... just a friendly gesture."

The 36-year-old, now working as a media-affairs manager in Alexandria, Va., said physical affection between colleagues created a familial feel. She added that the physical affection was more common between female co-workers.

"I do miss the touch stuff. I just think it makes for close teams," Malveaux said.

Decades ago, hugging between co-workers was unusual if not verboten. Today, physical affection can flourish in certain industries -- dot-com, marketing and fashion, for instance -- even as companies have increasingly codified the rules of workplace touching.

Hug-mes and hug-me-nots

"I think hugging in the workplace depends a lot on the culture of that specific workplace," said Patricia Mathews, founder of Workplace Solutions Consultants, a St. Louis-based consultancy. "It's truly a gray area. Some people love to be hugged. For others it's 'please don't touch me.'"

Mathews, a member of the Society for Human Resource Management's employee-relations panel, has been training workers about illegal harassment in the workplace for 15 years. Along with more casual dressing in some offices, she has seen increased hugging due in part to the proliferation of relaxed work environments populated by younger employees, such as those at some marketing firms.

"Hugging in those kinds of workplaces has become less of an issue. I see a more causal interaction, these employees socialize more outside of work," Mathews said.

She added that organizations in recent years have been doing a better job of bringing in employees that fit their culture -- whether it's pro- or antihug.

rest of the story...
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work...-or-Not-to-Hug