Perpetual Guardian - Pink Shirt Day!

On Friday 16 October, we’re turning our workplace māwhero/pink to show our commitment to creating an environment that is safe, welcoming and inclusive of all staff.

Every year, one in 10 workers in Aotearoa experience bullying in the workplace. Many studies show people who are bullied are more likely to experience mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Together, we can turn this around by ensuring our workplaces celebrate diversity and are places where everyone can feel safe, valued and respected.

About Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day is a national bullying prevention campaign run by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying at their school after a new student was bullied for wearing pink. You can learn more about the origins of the day here.

About workplace bullying

Workplace bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards people at work that can lead to physical or psychological harm.

Bullying is:

● Deliberate – harming another person intentionally

● Involves a misuse of power in a relationship

● Not a one-off – it is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated over time

People who are bullied are often highly competent and may be seen as a threat to the person bullying them. They’re often non-confrontational and tend to be ethical and honest. Studies show they’re also likely to be part of a minority or marginalised community. That’s why it’s so important to celebrate diversity and embrace our differences – we aren’t all the same and that’s a great thing!