Maybe you’re meeting a coworker you’ve only known on Zoom in person for the first time. Maybe you’re greeting a group of coworkers at a conference, or saying goodbye after a team happy hour. Maybe a coworker has experienced a sudden loss. Or maybe you’re simply more of a hug person than a handshake person.

Is embracing a colleague a faux pas—or worse?

Cultural moments like the #MeToo movement, as well as the hands-off norms established during the pandemic, have shaped opinions about when it’s okay to touch someone else. Although most people don’t greet their office mates with literal open arms each day, colleagues who’ve developed close bonds may feel inclined to hug from time to time.

That’s probably not surprising, given the important role friendships play in the workplace. And with t

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