Normative authority and the justification of workplace hazing

Purpose This article examines how everyday justification practices and authority asymmetries normalise workplace hazing as a form of newcomer socialisation in workgroups. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on seven vignette-based focus group interviews with experienced clinicians (N = 33) and employs reflexive thematic analysis. Findings The analysis identifies two justificatory logics: “Fitting into the box” and “Our rules overrule,” which show how everyday professional norms and authority relations close down critique by positioning newcomers primarily as norm addressees rather than as equal participants in the justification of the norms governing their socialisation. Originality/value Drawing on Rainer Forst's theory of justification and normative authority, the article contributes an organisational-ethical analysis of workplace hazing. It shows how workplace hazing socialisation is normalised through everyday normative orders and authority relations that position newcomers as unequal participants in justificatory practices.