The workplace experiences of apprentices and trainees: an interview study

The workplace bullying behaviors experienced by apprentices and trainees in personal service occupations (e.g., fitness, hairdressing and beauty) formed the focus of this study. The key aim was to lean from the apprentices and trainees about the forms of any negative behaviors to which they had been subjected, and about the effects on them of any such behaviors. A semi-structured interview approach was used in this study. The results reveal that the apprentices and trainees had been subjected to several behaviors that meet the definitions of bullying. The behaviors were found to have serious adverse effects on the apprentices/trainees.