Are your young workers safe?

The Victorian Government has launched a campaign that shows the results of a social experiment where young workers aged 18–25 are asked to participate in a mock job information session for a research company. The campaign is designed to make workplaces more aware of protecting young workers and ensure young Victorians are aware of their rights.

“This campaign reveals how our young Victorians are vulnerable to injuries in the workplace and reminds us of the importance of making sure they know they have the right to come home safe from work at the end of each day. Everyone has a part to play to make sure young workers are given the training and supervision they need to feel safe and be safe at work,” said Jill Hennessy, Minister for Workplace Safety.

As part of the campaign, participants were asked a series of questions about the risks that they were willing to take to ensure employment — revealing young workers lacked the confidence to question unsafe working conditions, with almost all participants displaying vulnerability in speaking up when they were uncomfortable about having their health and safety compromised. In order to secure and maintain employment, 21 out of 23 participants said they would accept bullying and harassment in the workplace, would work without first being trained and accept unsafe work conditions.

“Employers have no excuse for abusing their power and endangering the health and wellbeing of young workers. With more inspectors completing more inspections than ever before, WorkSafe will not hesitate to take enforcement action where it finds employers failing to meet their health and safety obligations,” said Colin Radford, WorkSafe Victoria Chief Executive.

Young workers can be reluctant to question their employers about hazards in the workplace, and have a poor understanding of their health and safety rights. The campaign will be supported by education for employers and young workers, to increase awareness of their rights and responsibilities.

“Young Victorians should be safe at work and it is unacceptable for employers to pressure inexperienced workers into situations that put their physical or mental health at risk,” Hennessy said.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/JackF