Youth return to employment post workplace bullying experiences: An innovative approach

This article aims to discuss the impact of workplace bullying on the young and innovative ways of enabling and empowering them to return to work to lead an independent and self-reliant life. By employing an autoethnographic and single case study method, the first author reflects on his practice experiences of working with a young man impacted by workplace bullying. The analysis is presented in terms of nature and type of workplace bullying experienced by a young man, details of psycho-social and economic impact and assessment, innovative practices to help recover from the impact and return to employment. Drawing from this practice experience, reflection on it and analysis, the article argues that workplace bullying can cause lasting damage to individuals, make them further vulnerable and exclude them from employment. Although counselling and legal remedies are important, they alone are not adequate to help workplace bullying victims recover. Legal and medical systems are often biased towards the institutions and can be daunting to victims, particularly those who are socially-economically disadvantaged. Despite these challenges, an innovative model consisting of well planned social work practice combining onsite workplace mentoring can help young people return to work according to their own gradual pace and make them confident and self-reliant. The evaluation of this practice's outcomes has implications for training, improved work culture and practices on the part of trade persons, who often employ young people to assist them.