Government says changes will ensure dignity, respect, and fairness
The New Zealand government is rolling out updated standards across the public sector to boost its culture of speaking up in cases of harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
Public Service Minister Judith Collins released the updated Speaking Up model standards, which now include a new "Your Complaint, Your Rights" resource, on Friday.
"Your Complaint, Your Rights makes it clear that complainants have rights, and outlines what their rights are and the support they will get from their agency when they make a harassment complaint," Collins said in a statement.
"The improvements will ensure that anyone who raises a complaint is treated with the dignity, respect, and fairness that they deserve."
Under the updated standards, complainants in the public service will be provided with at least monthly updates on their case to boost regular communication.
They will also receive legal support in specific circumstances, with agencies expected to provide it when there is a power imbalance or if the complaint is serious or complex.
Complainants will also have clearer options to raise their grievances outside their agency, according to the government.
"The changes reflect best practice and reinforce the public service's zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, and discrimination," Collins said.
"Everyone has a right to feel safe and supported when they speak up."
Speaking up in the public sector
The updated standards come after the recent Public Service Census showed that 12% of public servants had experienced harassment or bullying in the past 12 months in their current workplace.
"We asked the Commissioner to look at how we can better support people who come forward with complaints of sexual harassment, and this new resource and the strengthened Speaking Up model standards are the result of that work," Collins said.
The Speaking Up model standards outline the Public Service Commission's minimum expectations for organisations to support staff who speak up in relation to wrongdoing.
"I want to assure any public servant that they can speak up about wrongdoing without fear of punishment or reprisal," said Public Service Commissioner Brian Roche on the PSC website.
"This is really important to me and I expect agencies to uphold these standards, take all allegations of wrongdoing seriously, and keep you safe."
Much broader shift needed
Meanwhile, the Public Service Association (PSA) welcomed the government's latest initiative in strengthening the speaking up culture.
"We agree with the Minister that all who suffer sexual harassment in the workplace need to be treated with dignity, and respect, but a much broader culture shift is needed," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi, in a statement.
"If the Government is really serious about ending harassment, bullying, and discrimination then it should be taking a close look at workplace culture."
Fitzsimons said recent layoffs, rising workloads and reducing flexibility have contributed to public servants' low morale.
"Leaders need to lead - supporting managers with the right training and education so workers can escalate issues without fear. Right now, the approach is inconsistent across the public sector," the PSA official said.
"There needs to be a concerted effort across the public service to improve the approach."
