Should physical contact in the workplace be banned?

According to a new survey, three out of four workers in Britain support a complete ban on touching at work. 

The reason? They say it is too awkward trying to figure out whether someone wants a handshake, a hug, or a fist bump. 

So, do we need clearer guidelines in the workplace?

Employment expert, Paul Tremewan, told Tim Dower he can understand why workers are confused, but he said in New Zealand, we have pretty clear rules. 

"We can be too precious, but having said that, you need to be safe in the workplace and over the last few years that has changed a lot and people now do speak out."

"But, we have got adequate coverage and legislation to cover that sort of stuff and a quiet word in someone's ear probably goes a long way to deal with those sorts of things."

"In New Zealand, we have adequate laws under the Human Rights Act and the Employment Relations Act to deal with that, because if it is unwanted touching, then that's grounds and you can have a word to an employee and say: if you do that again then we have grounds to take disciplinary action against you, it's not wanted and it's unwelcome and it's unlawful."

However, he said most people have experienced an overly touchy co-worker at some point. 

Tremewan said the world is changing when it comes to touching at work. 

"If you saw the last word rowing champ...when the women were being presented with prizes, there was none of the kissing on the cheek. So the world is moving forward."