The social experiment
Across Victoria, many young people find themselves working in unsafe conditions. Fearful of speaking up, young workers can be asked to perform tasks that put them in danger, both mentally and physically. Because of their lack of experience, young workers are one of the most vulnerable groups in the workforce.
Together with leading psychologist, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, we conducted a real-life social experiment to uncover the extent of the problem.
We invited a group of people from 18yrs – 25yrs to a series of 'industry information sessions' where we outlined some of the unsafe conditions they could face. Each participant was asked whether they would be willing to work in these conditions. Sadly, 91%* said they would.
The experiment conducted under the guise of research as an industry information session. All featured participants signed release forms allowing WorkSafe Victoria to use the footage from the experiment. *91% is based on 21 of 23 participants stating they would be willing to accept a job like the one described in the information session.
Unsafe is always unacceptable
Behind the scenes
WorkSafe Victoria enlisted the services Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, one of Australia's highest profile psychologists, to help unpack what these young people were feeling throughout the process. See his insights and perspective on the experiment, as well clips from the participants after they took part in the session.