Impacts of harassment and bullying
The impact of workplace harassment and bullying on Māori workers is far-reaching and ongoing.
IMPACTS
• 88% of Māori workers who have experienced
harassment or bullying have been negatively
impacted by the experience. The impact is
large or extreme for nearly a third (32%) of
these workers.
• Nearly two thirds (64%) suffer from ongoing
negative impacts of the harassment or bullying.
This increases to 88% for those who the
bullying/harassment had a large or extreme
impact.
• The impact of workplace harassment and
bullying causes many to feel disrespected
(63%), uncomfortable (59%), angry (55%),
anxious (44%), and frustrated (42%).
• Two thirds (67%) were not subject to any
unrelated life circumstances (e.g. existing
mental health issues) that may have made the
bullying/harassment more difficult to cope with.
• The most common immediate impacts of
harassment and bullying are a worsening of
mental or physical health (69%), direct impacts
on a person’s job or career (53%), and a loss of
self-confidence (49%).
“There have been multiple incidences but the hardest one was being bullied by my
manager... She singled me out and told me off for things others were doing. I was going
through a depressive episode at the time and wasn’t really talking to many people (I’m
normally bubbly) and she said I was ignoring her. I told her I was depressed and wasn’t
talking to many people. She said I was using that as an excuse. I told her I was going home
as I was too upset to work... I got in major trouble for “leaving without permission.“”
- Māori female who was working in the health care and social assistance sector
“With other colleagues who I meet via networking meetings… I feel I don’t have any power
to counter their racism/prejudice… At the time, I was so ashamed and frustrated that I left
the meeting in tears. I wish I felt powerful in the face of racism/prejudice, however after a
lifetime of having this experience, from a family where you “keep the peace” especially in
regards to Pakeha, I have to fight that ingrained insecurity.”
- Māori female who was working in the health care and social assistance sector
“[I had] significantly lowered self-esteem and I became severely depressed with 3 months
off.”
- Māori female who was working in the education and training sector
“My experience was being ganged up on, shouted at, feeling physically, mentally,
emotionally and spiritually unsafe. [I felt] physically sick, wanting to vomit, not wanting to
get up and go to work. [I also felt] diminished, invalidated, and unsupported.”
- Māori female who was working in the administrative and support services sector
KANTAR PUBLIC 2022
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