New Zealand 

Laws and Legislation 

The World Health Organisation defines a respectful workplace as one that: “…encourages trust, responsibility, accountability, mutual respect, open communication and embraces the dignity and diversity of individuals” (more).

How can your company provide a more respectful workplace culture?

  • Respect and Trust – Respect and trust are the cornerstones of any workplace relationship. Employees have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and trust that this will occur in their workplace relationships. When employees are not treated in this way, it is not only a breach of their human rights, it also affects on-the-job performance and motivation.
  • Zero Tolerance – Ensure everyone understands that there is a zero tolerance policy on discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment at your company. However, you must also ensure to provide a clear process for reporting an incident should one occur, and what the investigation and ruling process is like.
  • Respect and Courtesy – The best way to make respect and courtesy a part of the company culture is to model it yourself, and ensure all your management staff follow your lead. Promote company communications that highlight the importance of respect in the workplace, and emphasise the proper ways to behave. If everyone treats each other with respect and courtesy, you will create a workplace that your staff are happy to come to every morning.

The New Zealand Government provides guidance on how to encourage positive workplace behaviours to create a more respectful and inclusive culture. You can read more about it here.

All private and public sector employees and contractors are entitled to a safe and inclusive workplace, where people treat one another with respect and work together to deliver for people in New Zealand.

This takes organisational commitment and real effort from leaders, managers, and individual staff members. There is need for strong leadership, constructive working relationships, and good policies and procedures.

Unfortunately, our agencies are not immune to the challenges that all workplaces face. The way we deal with inappropriate behaviours is important. Building a workplace culture that promotes respect, inclusion, trust and productivity will go a long way to preventing inappropriate behaviour from occurring.

These model standards set out the in the NZ Laws and Legislation as well as the Public Service Commissioner’s minimum expectations for staff and organisations in the public sector to ensure positive and safe workplaces.

Ngā kōnae e hāngai ana 
Related files

Positive and safe workplaces model standards(PDF, 216 KB)

Response role cards for managers, employees and bystanders: inappropriate behaviour concern/complaint(PDF, 502 KB)

Sexual ethics and respectful relationships: Creating a positive workplace culture(PDF, 59 KB) — a New Zealand Defence Force case study

Government Health and Safety Lead’s Positive Workplace Cultures programme— a system-wide programme to support chief executives and their agencies to create positive work environments

Safe to talk | Kōrero mai ka ora — this helpline provides free, confidential 24/7 support to people affected by sexual harm.

1737 — Need to Talk? Is New Zealand’s national mental health helpline number, and part of the National Telehealth Service

Bullying is Worksafe’s prevention toolbox that provides tools and resources to help guide organisations and individuals in preventing bullying in the workplace.

Employment mediation services within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is a free service for any employee or employer with an employment relationship problem.

We offer a wide variety of courses and certificates.

Respect at Work - Board / Executive / Manager / Supervisor Levels

Respect at Work - Staff Levels