[cashman]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I also think it very much depends on your relationship with your colleagues...and also the circumstances where the hug is given.
Hugs do not constitute a sexual abuse if it is done to congratulate or to comfort someone.
Most hugs given by most people are harmless and innocent.
You can read the signals to whether a hug will be accepted or rebuffed.
I think it is a very sad day for humanity when a hug is classed as sexual harassment...we will have lost a useful chunk of non verbal communication that is better than a million words andcannot be replaced by words.

Just my personal opinion.

Only a complete idiot would regard a hug as a sexual advance. imho.