October is safe work month.
I thought it was an opportune time to blog about young people at work. Young adults – aged between 15 and 25 years old – make up a significant proportion of today’s, modern work force. Quite alarmingly, a recent report (referenced in today’s Sydney Morning Herald) has suggested that 50 per cent of young adult workers had experienced bullying and harassment at work.
A number of young adults surveyed indicated that bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment) was so common place, that many instances were treated by employers as a ‘non-issue’.
Whilst the legislators have progressed the law to the point of making bullying and harassment unlawful, it seems that not enough is being done to re-enforce the message to employers that ‘bullying and harassment is unlawful’. It is also un-safe and has the potential to seriously affect a young adults’ capacity to remain engaged in meaningful employment.
Importantly for young adults at work, you have the right to complain to your manager or your local workplace health and safety officer about legitimate unsafe work practices, including instances of bullying and harassment. The aim of any such complaint should be to try to resolve your concerns in a meaningful and respectful way.
And if that doesn’t work, we’re always here to help you in any way we can.
The AGL Team
Lawyers for employees – specialising in unfair dismissal
Photo via Visualhunt.com
