Employees want physical contact banned in the workplace - UK survey

Employees want physical contact banned in the workplace - UK survey
Photo credit: File

A survey has found many employees are confused and distressed regarding physical contact and greetings in the workplace.

Job site Totaljobs surveyed 2000 UK adults about their relationships with their colleagues, and found one third of them experience awkwardness attempting to navigate the social "minefield".

Three out of four said they would support a ban on physical contact at work.

One in four said they have avoided a colleague because of the way they greeted people and two out of five said they found greetings awkward.

Out of those surveyed, 25 percent said they have been trapped in an unwanted hug, 19 percent have received an unwanted kiss and 13 percent have been accidentally kissed on the mouth due to poor timing.

"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," said marketing director of Totaljobs Alexandra Sydney.

The majority of those polled said they would support clear guidance on appropriate workplace greetings.

Sydney agrees, saying the need for boundaries is clear.

"It's clear that boundaries need to be set in the workplace which promote a comfortable working environment and don't impede on the working day."

Newshub.