Citibank has been accused of upsetting its lawyers with a training session in which they were asked to hug each other.

Volunteers at the bank organised an out-of-hours event run by 'Laughology', which describes itself as a "unique and ethical, consulting and development approach built around the psychology of humour, laughter and happiness". 

But apparently not all the bank's lawyers were in the mood for side-splitting L&D. A source told RollOnFriday that the aim was to teach senior lawyers to be kinder to their underlings, and climaxed with the attendants "being forced to hug each other". They said the close contact was deemed by at least one participant to be "tantamount to sexual harassment", saying, "Many left the session threatening to report the event to HR".
 

  Just who you want to see at 7am, making you cuddle  


A Citibank spokeswoman said RollOnFriday's source was "way off base", and that the session, "was deemed by everyone I've spoken to as light-hearted and thought-provoking as well as a really different way to look at diversity and inclusion in the work environment". The aim, she said, "had nothing to do with seniors or juniors", but was "more about general interaction with one's colleagues". And although "the facilitator did ask everyone to hug the person next to them", she said "no-one was forced to hug".

Shaken staff who found themselves clasped to the bosom of a clammy old Citibank lawyer should console themselves with the knowledge that 'fun' is being inflicted on other lawyers, too, as proven by this disturbing video.

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