New guide helps in recognising stalking behaviours, responding to victims of stalking at work
The New Zealand government has published a guide for employers that can help them protect their staff from experiencing stalking in the workplace.
Minister for Women Nicola Grigg unveiled on Thursday the new guide, "Recognise, Respond, Support: Practical workplace responses to stalking," which has been developed in partnership with family violence specialist organisation Shine, in collaboration with Human Resources New Zealand.
"This guide helps employers recognise stalking behaviours, respond to disclosures, manage safety risks, and support staff to access specialist help," Grigg said.
It outlines the response and support measures that employers can take to help staff experiencing stalking, as well as the steps to take to foster awareness of stalking and harassment.
A dedicated section is also present in the guide for employers that need immediate advice on how to support an employee experiencing stalking.
Who is the guidance for?
The guide is targeted for authorities in workplaces who are responsible in supporting the safety and wellbeing of employees at work. They include business owners, senior leaders, employee-led networks, HR teams, among others.
"I encourage people in workplaces to read the guide, discuss it with their organisations, take action before issues arise, and create safe environments where staff feel supported," Grigg said.
The guide was developed as part of efforts to recognise that workplaces can have an impact on the safety and wellbeing of stalking victims, according to the official.
"Stalking has a serious impact on the health, safety, and wellbeing of victims, and research shows that stalking frequently extends into workplaces," the minister said.
"Workplaces are a big part of people's daily lives. We know that perpetrators can use workplaces to contact, monitor, follow, or approach victims and this creates real risks for the person affected, and sometimes for the wider workplace."
Nick McKissack, chief executive of Human Resources New Zealand, stressed that employers "cannot afford to wait" until harm escalates before responding to stalking.
"This guide gives employers the practical steps they need to recognise warning signs, reduce risks, and respond with care, confidence, and urgency," McKissack said in the guide.
Stalking, harassment in New Zealand
The new guide comes after New Zealand declared in May that stalking and harassment are criminal offences that are punishable by up to five years' imprisonment.
Stalking and harassment, under the Crimes Act, are defined as a pattern of at least two "specific acts" on two separate occasions within a two-year period where the person carrying out the behaviour knows it is likely to cause fear or distress.
"The law change and this guide work together – the law holds perpetrators to account and the guide helps workplaces protect and support those affected," Grigg said.
