# Is touching co-workers OK? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 3, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-touching-co-workers-ok/833424 "2019-05-03T15:42:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 112
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2019, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-touching-co-workers-ok/833424/112 "2019-05-04T00:49:23Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > … > I agree that context matters. I also agree that not everything needs to go straight to HR. Issues involving bodily autonomy, however, should go to HR. HR needs to understand if this is a one-time thing or something that happens repeatedly. HR needs to make their own assessment of the seriousness of the complaint, and decide appropriate actions. > … > That said, if I take you at your word that touching is “perfectly natural and usual way to communicate”, what I hear is that you do not respect the bodily autonomy of others, that you won’t respect my bodily autonomy, and that you think it’s a shame that you can’t just do as you’ve always done. > > The world has changed (or, more accurately, is changing slowly). Someday, I hope that women will have the same rights over their bodies that men have over theirs. > > One should have prior consent for _all touch_. If that has been established through friendship, great. Long working relationship and mutually understood boundaries, fantastic. One cannot presume that one has permission in the absence of verbal assent, however. > … > Exactly. Report it. > > … > In summary, while context matters, one should have permission to initiate personal contact. Don’t touch unless you know it’s welcome. Does that include handshakes? That is a extreme way of thinking. And, itOk for you to feel that way, but not Ok for you to make everyone else hew to your personal standards. If\* you \*feel uncomfortable to a light, innocent touch on the shoulder, that’s Ok. It’s your body. Just let them know. I assume then, you refuse to shake hands? If you report a light, innocent touch to HR, it will not go well for anyone. Including \*you. \* --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-touching-co-workers-ok/833424)._