Tips To Spot It
Associated heavily with college culture and fraternities, it is important to note that there have also been incidents of what can only be referred to as hazing occurring in many workplaces across the United States and Europe.
And while it can easily be written off as a bit of fun, it is no longer acceptable or legal for hazing to take place in the workplace, as it is disrespectful and immoral. So, if you have recently joined a new workplace and are concerned about hazing, you may want to know how best to spot it. This article aims to break down exactly what you need to look for and what you can do.
What Is Hazing?
Many people have seen hazing depicted in Hollywood movies, usually relating to a freshman starting at school or a university. In many ways, it is the same in the workplace; a new person has joined, and now all of the other staff are putting down tasks that this person has to complete in order to gain acceptance because they are new. It should come as no surprise that hazing is now considered a form of bullying and intimidation, and if you see any of the signs mentioned in this article, you should seek the advice of a hazing lawyer.
But what exactly do you look for?
Injuries
Some people come into work with injuries, and if you work in the police or are a firefighter, injuries can be somewhat expected as it can be a hazardous line of work. But if you work in an office and notice that the former newest member of the team has injuries, this can be a sign of hazing, especially if they seem to be uncomfortable in the workplace.
Psychological Exhaustion
Psychological exhaustion can take many forms, and, in the workplace, it is easy to spot as it is linked to a lack of work output or a general failure to meet deadlines. So, if you have somebody on your team who is showing signs of psychological exhaustion, it is important to carefully try to ascertain what is going on and to bring it up with your supervisor if you feel that you can.
Withdrawal
If you notice that a member of your workplace or multiple members of your workplace seem withdrawn from the more boisterous members, this can also point to hazing and previous instances of bullying. However, it can have other causes, such as mental illness or even autism spectrum disorder, so before you make any accusations about hazing, it’s important to gain a little bit more information.
You Feel Worried
You should always trust your gut when it comes to reading people, as it is rarely incorrect.
In some cases, you may notice that you feel uncomfortable going to work. Or, you may be worried about running into a particular colleague or set of colleagues due to how they treat you or the newest members of the team. This should not be ignored, and you should seek to bring this up with your supervisor if you feel able to. If not, you should seek the advice of a legal representative who can conduct an investigation.