Bullying harms workers and is a significant issue in New Zealand. It can affect people both physically and mentally, can disrupt workplaces, and lower work performance. Bullying can happen at any time and all levels in a business.

How are workers and others harmed?

Bullying at work is repeated and unreasonable behaviour towards a worker or group of workers that can lead to physical or psychological harm. Bullying can be physical, verbal or social.

Some of these behaviours may also fall under other types of behaviour such as discrimination or violence.

What can you do?

First you must always eliminate the risk where you’re reasonably able to. Where you’re not reasonably able to, then you need to consider what you can do to minimise the risk.

For example, building good relationships in a respectful work environment including having a ‘no-bullying tolerated’ work culture.

For more detailed information on managing bullying, see our guidance and resources on bullying prevention for workers and small businesses.

Always ask workers for input on identifying health and safety risks, and when choosing solutions. People are more likely to take responsibility and make good choices if they’ve been involved in the conversation. Workers are the eyes and ears of your business. They could suggest practical, cost-effective solutions.

You need to select the most effective control measures that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation.

Work-related stress is increasingly becoming an issue for workplaces.

There is often confusion between challenge and stress in the workplace. While challenge at work can have positive effects on people, work-related stress is a work-related health issue that can pose risks to psychological and physical health.

How are workers and others harmed?

The effects of work-related stress can vary from individual to individual. In general, work-related stress is associated with:

• illness and disease
• low morale and engagement
• anxiety
• lower performance and productivity
• antisocial behaviours.

What can you do?

First you must always eliminate the risk where you’re reasonably able to. Where you’re not reasonably able to, then you need to consider what you can do to minimise the risk. Here are some examples:

• Set achievable expectations with your workers in relation to agreed hours of work.
• Match worker’s skills and abilities to job demands.
• Support workers to have a level of control over their pace of work.
• Engage with your workers to share ideas and perspectives on ways to address situations.
• Make sure workers know how to make suggestions, raise questions or concerns.
• Ensure managers and supervisors have the capability and knowledge to identify, understand and support workers who may be feeling stressed.
• Have agreed policies and procedures to prevent or resolve unacceptable behaviour.
• Engage and consult with workers before implementing change processes, and ensure they genuinely have the ability to influence the decisions you make.
• Provide workers with access to independent counselling services.
• Always train new workers on what the risks are and how to keep healthy and safe.

Always ask workers for input on identifying health and safety risks, and when choosing solutions. People are more likely to take responsibility and make good choices if they’ve been involved in the conversation. Workers are the eyes and ears of your business. They could suggest practical, cost-effective solutions.

You need to select the most effective control measures that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation.

Lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy loads such as paper or computer equipment can put workers at risk of serious injury.

How are workers and others harmed?

Workers are at risk of injury from lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling particularly when:

• a load is heavy, it’s difficult to grasp, push, or pull, or it’s too large or difficult to handle
• postures are awkward and the physical effort is high (for example workers are visibly struggling, or say the task is difficult)
• the environment is challenging (for example, confined spaces, slippery floors, steps, poor lighting)
• they regularly bend, twist, reach, or hold the load away from their body
• they are rushing, have high work demands, or are understaffed
• they are young, old, new or expectant mothers, recovering from injury, have English as a second language.

Injuries and conditions can affect muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves.

They may start as mild aches or pains and can develop into serious conditions, for example:

• strains or sprains
• joint and bone injuries or degeneration
• nerve injuries
• muscular and vascular disorders resulting from vibration
• soft tissue injuries such as hernias
• chronic pain.

What can you do?

First you must eliminate the risk where you’re reasonably able to. For example:

• Redesign the layout of workstations to eliminate the need to lift, carry, push or pull loads.
• Use mechanical lifting aids or lifting equipment, and ensure they are used properly and maintained in accordance with manufacturer specifications.

Where you can't eliminate the risk then you need to consider what you can do to minimise the risk. For example:

• Ensure the office layout/design limits the need to push, pull, or carry equipment or loads (for example, good path design, floor surfaces that allow goods to be moved directly to storage areas).
• Use lifts where possible for moving loads, or if not reasonably practicable, use ramps or suitable trolleys on stairs.
• Position shelving and racking in storage areas at accessible heights consider placing heavy loads on the middle shelves and have the most frequently needed items easily available.
• Order smaller amounts of stock so that they are easier to store and handle.
• Ensure workers are not exposed to repetitive or high impact work for long periods of time. Consider job sharing or job rotation.
• Ensure workers know how to do all their work tasks and use equipment safely.

Always ask workers for input on identifying health and safety risks, and when choosing solutions. People are more likely to take responsibility and make good choices if they’ve been involved in the conversation. Workers are the eyes and ears of your business. They could suggest practical, cost-effective solutions.

You need to select the most effective control measures that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation.

Health and safety specialists such as vocational occupational therapists, occupational health physiotherapists, occupational health nurses, and ergonomists/human factors professionals (and others) can be used to support businesses to manage risks.

Office clutter, uneven floor surfaces and poor lighting can put workers at risk of slip, trip or fall injuries.

How are workers and others harmed?

When someone falls as a result of a slip or trip, the injury can range from minor (bruises and scrapes) to more serious, including broken bones or head trauma. The severity of the injury will depend on the circumstances.

Examples of how injuries can be caused include:

• unmarked changes in floor levels
• slippery floors from water or other liquids
• poor housekeeping or obstructed views – for example, trailing cables, boxes or bags
• damaged flooring including stairs
• not using stair hand rails
• cramped conditions and poor work flow through the office (for example, desks too close together)
• standing on swivel or wheeled chairs, or on desks
• poor lighting.

What can you do?

First you must always eliminate the risk where you’re reasonably able to. Where you’re not reasonably able to, then you need to consider what you can do to minimise the risk. Here are some examples:

• Clean any spills immediately and dry the floor and use signage.
• Ensure work areas and walkways are well-lit.
• Provide assistance so workers can see where they are going when carrying large items.
• Avoid having cables crossing walkways, or make sure cables crossing walkways are covered.
• Consider floor use when choosing floor coverings. Design floors to be anti-slip. Secure mats, rugs and carpets that do not lay flat.
• Maintain flooring in good condition. Regularly check for loose, damaged and worn flooring and replace or repair.
• Mark changes in floor levels and ensure these areas are well lit.
• Remove obstacles from walkways and keep them clutter free.
• Provide equipment so workers don’t have to stand on chairs or desks to reach heights, for example, stepladders or step stools.
• Consider scheduling cleaning for times when there are fewer people around.
• Implement a process where workers can raise concerns about maintenance issues or any other concerns they have about the office layout or materials.

Always ask workers for input on identifying health and safety risks, and when choosing solutions. People are more likely to take responsibility and make good choices if they’ve been involved in the conversation. Workers are the eyes and ears of your business. They could suggest practical, cost-effective solutions.

You need to select the most effective control measures that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation.

Workers who spend their day sitting at a desk and working on a computer are at risk of experiencing discomfort, pain, or injury.

How are workers harmed?

Workers are at risk of discomfort, pain, or injury when they spend a lot of their workday seated at a desk, using a computer, or taking phone calls.

Factors that may contribute to discomfort, pain, or injury when working with computers are:

• poor workstation set-up such as having the chair, desk, or monitor(s) set too low or high
• sitting for long periods of time without changing position or taking enough breaks to do other tasks away from the computer during the day
• poor lighting, for example, too bright or dull, or glare on the screen
• feeling rushed to get tasks done due to high work demands or being understaffed.

What can you do?

First you must eliminate the risk where you’re reasonably able to.

Where you can’t eliminate the risk then you need to consider what you can do to minimise the risk. Here are some examples:

• Provide adjustable furniture and equipment – one size does not fit all when it comes to chairs and work surfaces.
• Ensure workers are shown how to adjust the furniture and equipment to suit their needs.
• Take steps to control screen glare, (for example by using blinds) and make sure that the monitor is not placed in front of a window or a bright background.
• Encourage workers to take breaks away from the computer and change positions frequently, remember that ‘the best position is the next position’.
• If workers spend most of their day on the telephone, provide them with a hands-free headset or voice-activated software to reduce data entry tasks.

Always ask workers for input on identifying health and safety risks, and when choosing solutions. People are more likely to take responsibility and make good choices if they’ve been involved in the conversation. Workers are the eyes and ears of your business. They could suggest practical, cost-effective solutions.

You need to select the most effective control measures that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation.

For more practical information refer to:

• the Guidelines for using computers – detailed guidance on preventing and managing discomfort, pain, and injury when working with computers; and
• Setting up a healthy workstation when working from home – practical easy to follow tips on how to set up your workstation. This information applies to all workstations and not just when working at home. 

Health and safety specialists such as vocational occupational therapists, occupational health physiotherapists, occupational health nurses, and ergonomists/human factors professionals (and others) can be used to support businesses to manage risks.