Work-based learning (WbL): Appropriate behaviours in the workplace

A safe work environment is one where you feel comfortable, secure, and at ease both physically and emotionally.

Your employer has a responsibility to make sure that your co-workers know how to behave properly around you and other young people. 

This means no bullying, physical or sexual harassment, or abuse.

It’s important to know what is appropriate and what is not, so you can flag when things aren’t right.

It’s all about Respectful Relationships.

As a young person in the workplace, you are protected by laws that keep you safe.

These laws make sure that your rights are respected and that you are treated fairly.

When you start in a new workplace you will do an induction, this is where
you’ll learn more about what is expected from you and others in the workplace.

To learn more about what may be in a workplace induction watch the video found by clicking the ‘Workplace Induction’ tab.

When you start with a host workplace you will do a workplace induction. Every business has its own way of doing things so their induction process may vary.

However, you can expect to learn all about who your workplace supervisor will be. This will be an adult employee of the host workplace who will be the person to talk to if you have questions and will also help you learn the ropes.

You will learn about the code of conduct. These are the rules about how you and

your co-workers need to behave at work, what is considered good and bad behaviour and what will happen if someone does the wrong thing.

You may also learn about other policies and procedures so what to do and how to do it that are in place to keep you safe and what support is available to help you out if you ever have any issues in the workplace.

With this information on board you will be well equipped to handle anything that comes your way.

Now, scroll down to find a knowledge check activity.

Once you have successfully completed the knowledge check, click on the continue button to

learn about appropriate behaviour in the workplace.

Appropriate behaviour is all about how you and your co-workers should be treated and how you should treat each other. It means treating each other with respect, fairness and keeping everyone safe from harm.

Here, some good examples:

1. Being friendly and supportive. Co-workers should be welcoming and friendly, making you feel like you belong in the workplace.
2. Offering help and guidance. You’re new and there to learn. Co-workers should be patient and ready to help when needed. They can answer questions and guide you to help you learn and improve.
3. Respecting boundaries. It’s really important for co-workers to understand and respect your personal space. People shouldn’t invade your privacy or make you feel uncomfortable.
4. Listening and valuing ideas or concerns. Regardless of experience, your ideas and opinions should be heard and valued. Everyone’s ideas matter.
5. Providing a safe environment. Co-workers should make sure the workplace is safe for everyone. This involves being aware of potential physical and emotional risks and taking steps to prevent accidents or harm. 

It is also appropriate for you to set your own personal boundaries.

Click on the setting your own personal boundaries tab above to learn more.

In a workplace, an employer will set their own boundaries to ensure that the relationship they have with their employees is professional.

This helps create and maintain a respectful work environment where the employer can communicate their expectations of you and be unbiased if there are any staff performance

or behaviour issues, it is also appropriate for you to set your own personal boundaries.

Doing this helps your employer and co-workers understand what you are comfortable with and how they can treat you respectfully. Here’s some ideas in how to set boundaries in the workplace: 

• Speak up and let coworkers know when you aren’t comfortable with what they are saying or doing.
• Say no to something that makes you uncomfortable. You can offer other solutions if you have them.
• It’s also important to understand that you have a responsibility to accept and respect your supervisor and co-workers personal boundaries as well. This helps create a safe work environment for everyone.
• Find mentors like your host supervisor, school’s work-based learning or VET coordinator or to talk to about setting boundaries and dealing with workplace situations.

By actively setting, maintaining and respecting others personal boundaries, you can help create a healthy and safe work environment and set yourself up for success.

Scroll down to do a deeper dive into being assertive and setting boundaries.

Once you have finished, keep scrolling

Workplace bullying is when someone repeatedly treats you, a co-worker or a group of co-workers, unfairly posing a risk to their physical and mental wellbeing.

Examples of behaviours, whether intentional or not, include abusive, insulting or offensive

language or comments unjustified criticism or complaints, deliberately excluding you from

workplace activities or even not telling you information you need to do your work properly,

setting unreasonable timelines or constantly changing deadlines spreading incorrect

information about you or nasty rumours.  

Workplace bullying can be verbal or physical, done in person or online, through social media,

or through email or text messaging. It can be obvious, overt or hidden, covert.

It may also occur inside or outside of working hours.

Is it bullying?

Sometimes a behaviour you’re experiencing might not be considered bullying, but if it makes you feel uncomfortable, it can still be harmful.

It’s also important to recognise that some usual workplace conversations might feel personally offensive, but if they’re done in a respectful way, are a normal part of working for an employer.

For example:

•  being given fair and reasonable feedback on how you’re going,
• being fairly allocated work, having expectations set around how the work should be done.

If these things are done respectfully, they can be a great learning experience and help you

understand how to meet standards in a workplace. If they’re done in a way that feels rude,

aggressive or unfair, then it’s worth talking to your supervisor or teacher.

Click the tab above to learn how to identify harassment in the workplace.

Harassment (including sexual harassment) can take many different forms.

It can be physical, verbal abuse, requests for sexual favours or assault.

It can also be behaviours which offend, humiliates or intimidates you or someone else.

Forms of harassment can include:

• physical harm,
• emotional manipulation,
• sexual innuendo,
• comments about your looks or body parts,
• inappropriate physical contact,
• asking for dates (but not taking no as an answer), asking you to take and send explicit images,
• asking about your sexual activities, or showing you pornography or sexual images

Remember, it is never your fault if you are feeling unsafe because of the way someone is treating you. 

If you are unsure talk to a trusted adult and remember, trust your instincts. Your instinct is very good at telling you when something feels off.

Click the tab above to learn about physical abuse in the workplace.

Physical abuse is when someone deliberately hurts or harms another person.

Physical abuse could include things like hitting, slapping, pushing, dangerous pranks or degrading initiation rituals and any other form of physical harm.

It’s not acceptable and it creates an unsafe and harmful environment.

If you or someone else is experiencing any of these or any other harmful behaviour, speak up and seek help.

It’s important that your employer maintains a safe and respectful environment free

from these types of behaviours.

It is against the law to physically harm another person.

If you’re worried, unsure or not feeling safe, talk to a trusted adult or friend.

If you think you are in immediate danger, call the police.

Click the tab above to learn how to identify sexual abuse in the workplace.

Sexual abuse is when someone does things of a sexual nature that you don’t want or agree to. 

It could be comments, touching, or anything that makes you uncomfortable.

It’s not okay and it’s important to speak up if it happens.

Always remember, it is never okay for an adult to engage in sexual activity with a child or young person. This even includes people who are only a couple of years older than you. It’s called child sexual abuse and it’s against the law.

You have the right to say no to things you don’t like or think are wrong. Even if someone tells you that you can’t. A good rule to follow is that if it doesn’t feel right, you should tell someone you trust.

The same applies to things that young people around your own age or older than you might do. Sometimes young people do sexual things to other young people that are unwanted and harmful and make you feel uncomfortable and unsafe. They might talk sexually to you, touch or grope you, or send you sexual photos and videos. This is also never okay.

If you’re worried, unsure or not feeling safe, talk to a trusted adult or friend.

If you think you are in immediate danger, call the police.

Sexual abuse is not part of a normal relationship. It is not a sign of love and it is never a child’s or young person’s fault.

Click the top right tab to move along to the video on grooming.

Grooming is when someone tries to build a connection with a young person to

take advantage of them or control them.

It’s not just a one time thing, it’s a series of actions aimed at gaining trust and influence.

Grooming is against the law.

If you think someone is trying to groom you or another young person, tell someone, even

if you are not 100% sure. Groomers might use compliments, lots of gifts, secrets, inappropriate discussions and manipulation to create a sense of trust and dependence.

The ultimate aim is to exploit you or another young person for harmful purposes

like sexually, financially or in other ways.

It’s important that you can recognise signs of grooming and seek help.

If you feel you or someone is being targeted, take a look at Alex’s story below and see if you

can see the warning signs or red flags.