20 Feb 2014

Bullying costs millions - Worksafe

12:04 pm on 20 February 2014

Worksafe New Zealand says workplace bullying could be costing the country hundreds of millions of dollars.

The work safety watchdog has released a set of guidelines for identifying and dealing with workplace harassment.

Statistics from Australia show workplace bullying there costs up to $36 billion a year.

Worksafe general manager of high hazards and specialist services, Brett Murray, says that figure is likely to be proportionally similar in New Zealand.

He says workplace bullying is repeated unreasonable behaviour directed at workers, causing health and safety concerns.

Mr Murray says the health, education, hospitality and public service sectors have some of the worst bullying.