When you create a grouping that includes a body part on a figure, the order that you select items can affect how the figure relates to the grouping object:
If you start by adding a figure to your scene (such as Andy, or Alyson or Ryan), and then use the Object > Create Grouping command, the grouping object will appear in the scene. Next, you select one of the body parts on the character (such as the right forearm) and right-click to choose Change Figure (figure name) parent to from the context menu that appears. The grouping object becomes a parent of the entire figure, and not just the selected body part.
If you create your group first (for example, you assign a grouping object as a parent to a table, chair, and dishes on the table) and then you assign the figure’s hand as a parent to the grouping object, you can still have some freedom over the hand.