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Blanket workplace bans on compliments and hugs can increase legal risk, lawyer says

by Todd Humber July 27, 2026

written by Todd Humber July 27, 2026

The blanket prohibitions that fill most harassment training — never comment on appearance, never touch a co-worker, focus only on performance — can raise an employer's legal risk instead of lowering it, American employment lawyer Jonathan Segal told an audience of HR professionals in Orlando. Segal,...

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Todd Humber

Todd Humber is an award-winning workplace journalist who has been covering the HR, employment law, and workplace safety beats for 25 years. He is the publisher and editor-in-chief at HR News Canada, published by North Wall Media.

Blanket workplace bans on compliments and hugs can increase legal risk, lawyer says

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