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Can You Hug Someone at Work? Disney Exec Resigns Over Hugs!
 On the face of the news reports, the resignation of John Lasseter, Pixar co-founder and Toy Story director, seems to reflect the height of absurdity for the #metoo movement.
Have we really reached the point where you can’t hug someone at work? Full disclosure here: I’m a hugger. I hug everyone; sometimes I hug people I just met. But did you know that not everyone is a hugger?
With regard to Lasseter, however, the story, as usual, is more complicated than the media reports. Lasseter originally went on leave last November but only resigned last Friday after Disney (which owns Pixar) completed an investigation.
According to reports, not only did Lasseter engage in unwelcome and prolonged hugs in business meetings — which included whispering in women’s ears while he was hugging — but he also allegedly engaged in: 
- Unwelcome and prolonged kissing on the lips;
- Making comments about ‘physical attributes’;
- Touching women’s thighs; and
- Drinking to excess at company events.
In fact, Lasseter’s behavior was so frequent that women allegedly devised a move known as “the Lasseter”, an evasive tactic designed to avoid Lasseter’s grabs at their thighs.
What Should You Do?
Rather than banning all hugs at work, teach your people the following:
- How to tell if their behavior is welcome. I would never hug anyone unless I was sure.
- Consider whether your behavior is the same towards both genders. If you’re a man who only hugs women, your behavior looks more sexual.
- How to tell what comments are appropriate. Generic comments: “nice dress”, “nice shirt” are okay; comments about specific body parts are not.
- Why and how internal harassment investigations are conducted. They need to understand that investigation particulars and results should be kept confidential. Whatever rumors they’ve heard probably don’t reflect the whole story.
What Do You Think?
Are you a hugger? Are hugs okay at work? How do you teach your people to recognize their own inappropriate behavior?
 Did You Know
All of our harassment and discrimination presentations include time-tested ways for people to determine if their own and others’ behavior is appropriate.
Call or write me to discuss your options at: 303-216-1020 or Lynne@workplacesthatwork.com
Learn more about our training offerings and check out our team members at:
Be sure to read Lynne’s book on sexual harassment.
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June 11, 2018
