Workplace violence

Workplace violence is behaviour connected to your work that is violent, threatening, intimidating, or abusive.

No one should feel unsafe at work. Workplace violence can affect you physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, and socially.

Workplace violence may involve:

• physical violence or assault
• threats or intimidation
• verbal abuse
• harassment
• damage to property
• other harmful behaviour connected with your work.

Depending on the circumstances, workplace violence may be a criminal offence, a workplace health and safety issue, or both.

Police will look at the evidence and decide if a crime has happened.

If you are a migrant worker and believe you are being exploited at work, support is available.

Work exploitation can include:

• being underpaid
• not getting employment entitlements
• being forced to work excessive hours
• threats relating to your visa or employment
• other unfair or unlawful treatment.

You can report workplace exploitation to Employment New Zealand, whether you choose to involve police or not.

If you hold a visa linked to your employer and you believe you are being exploited at work, you may be eligible for a Migrant Exploitation Protection Work Visa. This can let you to leave the workplace while your situation is being assessed by Employment New Zealand.

To apply, you will usually need to meet the visa requirements and report the exploitation to Employment New Zealand.

Bullying can have a significant impact on confidence, mental health, relationships, and work performance.

Some forms of bullying may also be criminal offending or workplace violence, including:

• physical assault
• threatening behaviour
• stalking
• harassment
• damage to property.

For information about workplace bullying and employer responsibilities, visit WorkSafe New Zealand(external link).

If you have experienced workplace violence, you have options.
You may be able to:

• report to police
• raise health and safety concerns with your employer
• speak with a health and safety representative
• contact your union representative
• report serious workplace safety concerns to WorkSafe.

You do not need to have confronted the person responsible for the behaviour to report what happened.

If the person responsible is your manager or employer, there may be other people within your workplace who can help, including human resources staff, union representatives, health and safety representatives, or senior leaders.

Your safety and wellbeing are important. If you are in immediate danger, call 111.

If your employer does not respond appropriately or if you are disadvantaged or dismissed, there is support available.

Worksafe

WorkSafe can investigate where risks to workers are not being managed appropriately.

You can raise a concern if you believe there is a serious risk to the health or safety of workers. You will need to provide your contact details when making a report, but you can ask WorkSafe to keep your information confidential.

Raise a health or safety concern | WorkSafe(external link)

Employment New Zealand

Employment New Zealand can help resolve workplace issues by providing information and advice, as well as services to help with resolution and mediation.

If you believe your employer has treated you unfairly, you may be able to raise a personal grievance. This must be raised with your employer within 90 days for most personal grievances and 12 months for a personal grievance involving sexual harassment.

Personal grievances | Employment New Zealand (external link)

Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission provides free and confidential information and help for people experiencing discrimination, racial harassment or sexual harassment. 

They can help you understand your rights and explore options for resolving concerns.

Making a complaint | Human Rights Commission(external link)

Workplace violence can have effects beyond the workplace. Support is available for you, your family, whānau, and others affected by what has happened.

Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support provides free, confidential support throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, 24 hours a day. Support is available to people directly affected by crime or traumatic events, their whānau and witnesses.

Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support can provide:

• emotional and practical support
• information and referrals
• safety planning
• support through criminal justice or coronial processes.

You do not need to have reported what happened to police to receive support from Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support. You can visit or call:

• Manaaki Tāngata | Victim Support(external link)
• 0800 842 846

Other support might be relevant if what happened involves:

• family violence
• sexual violence
• stalking and harassment
• robbery
• human trafficking.

Different forms of harm can overlap, and you may be able to access support from more than one service at the same time.

You do not have to manage this alone, and you do not have to choose just one pathway for help.