If you’re in a mixed-gender workplace, or your workplace is mostly women, this issue might not be something you encounter…but you still might find it interesting. In many male-dominated workplaces there are a number of things some guys will do, and hazing is one of them. Most people who engage in hazing wouldn’t think of it as bullying or anything inappropriate. In fact they usually see it as a “ritual” where a new guy is welcomed into the “brotherhood.” We’re not talking the Water Buffaloes from the Flintstones (Google that and see if ack-ack-a-dack comes up) kind of brotherhood, but nonetheless, it’s seen as a good thing, not a bad thing. However, not everyone is into hazing and in fact some people find it down right obnoxious, or just straight bullying. It can involve water, tampering with food, clothing or tools, dangling people upside down, and some very weird stuff. If something goes too far, or you think it has run its course or perhaps beyond its “best before” date, it should be eliminated. At the very least, if someone shows no interest in being hazed, their wish should be respected.
TRY THIS:
Talk to those involved and explain that “yes, it happened to you,” but times have changed. If new employees are welcomed into the workplace, it doesn’t have to be with some strange ritual that appears to be unique to your workplace. You’ll likely have to get a number of people on side with this, because it’s rarely one person who will be taking part in the hazing.
HOW ABOUT:
“I want to talk to you guys about the hazing ritual that has been going on in this workplace for a long time. Just like many things, this one has run its course, for a number of reasons. One is that most new employees don’t see things the way other people saw things years ago. In fact, I know a number of you would have preferred to not be hazed, but you put up with it just because you had no choice. A second reason is that these hazings usually continue on just because we feel others need to pay their dues the way we had to pay our dues. But at some point just because it happened to us, isn’t a good enough excuse to carry it on. And a third reason is that even though many of you think the hazing actions are harmless, I’d suggest that they go against our policies dealing with harassment and bullying. Let’s welcome employees with good camaraderie and fun. Hazing is a thing of the past and it’s time we moved on.”
Stephen Hammond, B.A., J.D., CSP
If you have any questions, please contact Stephen
