The updated framework entitled Your Complaint, Your Rights sets out the rights of complainants
Sexual harassment complainants across New Zealand’s public service will receive stronger support and greater protection under the new standards announced last month by public service minister Judith Collins.
The updated framework entitled Your Complaint, Your Rights sets out the rights of complainants and details the support available when raising concerns about harassment, bullying, or discrimination.
“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.
She acknowledged that past handling of complaints had not always met expected standards and stressed the need for improvement.
“We need to improve the way complaints of sexual harassment and other harassment, bullying, and discrimination are handled across the public service,” she said. “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 changes are designed to ensure that those who report harassment are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
The strengthened standards draw on feedback from complainants to the Public Service Commission and data from the latest Public Service Census, which revealed that 12% of public servants experienced harassment or bullying within the past year in their current workplace.
Among the key improvements are:
“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.”
