Boss's Behaviour Translation Request

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Hey all - I'm sure that I'm making this bigger than it is but I need your help!

I have a supervisor who is great and supportive in regards to my career. He pushes me to be challenged at work, which is fantastic because it is never boring.

I'm just a bit confused about his social behaviour. He gives me a TIGHT hug (tighter than my family gives me) every now and then. I've noticed that he gives other ladies hugs but it always seems to be when he's around a lot of other people. It could be just a coincidence that we keep running into each other when it's just the two of us in the area.

When he gives me a hug he gives me a cheek kiss and says "mmmwa" - excuse my spelling but I'm sure how to spell that word.

I'm sure that it's nothing but I've never had a boss give me a hug and a cheek kiss before this. I think of previous bosses and I just couldn't imagine them doing that at all. I'm not uncomfortable with it but just confused.

He must be in his 60s, which i've heard is sort of normal for this age group?

Ahhhh I don't know, I think you have a reason to be concerned here. Next time he tries to hug and kiss you back away and just offer him a hand shake. If he questions this just say "I prefer it this way."

His behavior is inappropriate, to say the least. Many women would consider such behavior to be sexual harrassment.

There's also the concern that he might try to go further someday.

It would probably be best if you spoke to someone in your HR dept. about this. Stress that you're not offended, but that you're concerned about what his behavior might lead to, and how others might perceive it. They can then take him aside and gently advise him to stop.

You would be doing him a favor by talking to HR -- one day he might do that to the wrong woman and get sued for harrassment.