Young workers at risk: Overlaps between initiation rites, pranks, bullying, sexual harassment and occupational violence

Abstract

Young workers are at heightened OHS risk in workplaces. This enhanced risk is due to biological, neurological, developmental and labour market position risk factors. This article focuses on another hazard that is commonly encountered by adolescent workers: exposure to initiation rites and pranks. It needs to be noted, however, that older workers can also be subjected to practical jokes at workplaces. Initiation rites, pranks and bullying are all forms of workplace violence. Indeed, these behavioural categories often overlap. For example, groups of workers may play 'tricks' on a new employee that escalate in intensity and severity when repeated over time and may culminate in initiation rites that involve actual physical violence. Many victims of initiation rites are young or new recruits to a workforce. (author abstract)