Young Workers at Risk: Overlaps Between Initiation Rites, Pranks, Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Occupational Violence

By C Mayhew

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 subject to practical jokes at workplaces.

Initiation rites, pranks and bullying are all forms of workplace violence. Indeed these behavioural categories often overlap. Foe example, groups of workers may "play tricks" on a new employee that escalate in intensity and severity over time and may culminate in initiation rites that involve actual physical violence.

(Journal of Occupational Health and Safety Australian and New Zealand. vol. 23, no 4, August 2007. pp333-41)