New Zealand's dirty secret. A bullying culture.
Allan Halse
Employment Specialist @ CultureShift NZ Limited | Workplace Bullying Advocate/Activist. Whistleblowers champion. Nominee New Zealander of the Year Awards 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
Contrary to international belief, New Zealand has an abysmal record in the area of workplace (and schoolyard) bullying. We are not the kind, compassionate country that we have convinced the world we are.
As a guest speaker, I spoke about New Zealand's dirty secret at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service's (ACAS) national conference in Birmingham, UK, in March 2019
This toxic culture that has caused massive psychological and physiological health harm in all sectors of our society, was neglected by the outgoing Labour "workers" Party government and to be fair, all previous governments.
If New Zealand's international reputation as a progressive and civilised society is to be maintained, then the new National, Act and NZ First coalition government, being swore in tomorrow (Monday, 27 November 2023), needs to urgently address this insidious problem.
NZ is 2nd worst in the developed world for both workplace and schoolyard bullying with 1 in 5 workers bullied and 1 in 4 school children bullied.
NZ's leading anti workplace bullying organisation, CultureSafe has been quoted prominently in the media for a decade explaining the problem and providing solutions. We have requested that various governments take remedial action to rectify matters. This 27 August 2016 Stuff article (link below) received massive coverage but nothing changed.
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Why should the newly elected coalition government care about this insidious workplace bullying problem?
Because hundreds (maybe thousands) of bullied New Zealander's are voting with their feet and are leaving New Zealand.
Skilled migrants are also doing due diligence and understand that there is a horrendous bullying culture here. They are learning that there is no intervention to stop the bullying, nor compensation if psychologically injured. Many are deciding not to migrate here.
New Zealand has a huge shortage of skilled workers but don't seem to understand why. Maybe they should ask us.
Linda Crockett - Psychological Safety Specialist MSW, RSW, Consultant, Trainer, Coach, Therapist Gary Namie, PhD Dr Suzanne Henwood (Multi Award Winning Coach and Trainer) Bevan Johnstone Be Intent Clyde Soares National Workplace Bullying Coalition BeSafe Taranaki Craig Samuel Dynamic Media NZ | Crisis Communication | Public Relations Ethan Heng Business Leaders' Health and Safety Forum Gabriel Cardozo Gary Ward Hon Judith Collins KC MP Health and Safety 101 Workplace Bullying Institute Kelebale Masega Lisa Rogerson Lance Burdett MediaPA WorkSafe New Zealand Orquidea Tamayo Mortera - MNZM Olivia Wensley Phillip Quay Young Workers Resource Centre Jessica Hickman Christina H?gglund (Unander) Waikato Chamber of Commerce Bernadette Soares
I have worked as a carpenter in New Zealand and I can confirm that there is a bullying culture here and when you stand up to them they are cowards. To me its very sad for adults to behave this way and not a great place to work either. I worked in Australia, Canada and England and it's no where near as bad in those countries
Non-Linear Strategic Thinker curious in solving your challenges. All viewpoints and perspectives represent my personal perspective and none of my current or previous employers.
1 年Perception isn't the reality.
Transforming Workplace Wellbeing | Wellbeing Architect | People-Centric Leadership Development | Mindfulness Based Resilience Frameworks
1 年It's disheartening to hear about New Zealand's bullying culture. It's time to work towards positive change together.
Former Pop Icon
1 年Its everywhere