We all have days when we would rather not go to work but for many New Zealanders their boss or colleagues are actually making them sick. New research shows New Zealand’s workplace bullying is at notably high levels when compared internationally. The “Understanding Stress and Bullying in New Zealand Workplaces” 17 December, 2009 report prepared by Massey University researchers says, there is considerable evidence that the harm caused by workplace bullying is associated with increased levels of stress. “Job strain – the combination of high job demands and low job control – has been shown to predict cardiovascular disease in men and depression and anxiety in women, in a range of prospective studies,” the report says. Further, daily cortisol (stress hormone) levels were shown to be altered in people who experienced bullying at work and bullying victims reported more psychological stress and mental fatigue. The sectors that reported the highest levels of bullying were hospitality, health, education and travel. Eighteen per cent of employees in those sectors said they had been victims of bullying at work, while 75% had suffered from stress. Study leader Professor Tim Bentley says nine times out of 10 the manager is the bully and bad leadership is the cause. Employers now need to bear in mind a recent change to Health and Safety legislation has made it possible for organisations to be held liable for psychological harm to their employees.

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