Pink Shirt Day 2022 - Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora

Today is Pink Shirt Day, a day where people right across Aotearoa come together to stand up and speak out against bullying and harassment.

Everyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background, has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and work in an environment where they feel safe, welcome and valued for the mahi they do. People need to be able to bring their whole self into the working environment. Fire and Emergency is absolutely committed to eliminating bullying and harassment and building a positive workplace culture in which all our people can thrive.

Below is a message from our Chief Executive, Kerry Gregory, in support of Pink Shirt Day.

Today is also an opportunity for us all to reflect on what we can do, on an ongoing basis, to support each other and ensure a vibrant, healthy workplace.

For example, you could…

• Call out any inappropriate comments or behaviour you see in a way you feel comfortable and safe to do.
• Show whanaungatanga by having a chat with a teammate and just check in to see how they are doing and if they’re ok.
• Show manaakitanga by lifting someone up and praising them for a job well done.
• Notice or ask how people are doing and encourage colleagues to seek help if you see they are struggling. You could direct them to access our support options and offer to sit with them while they make contact if they’d like you to.
• Support someone to speak out and contact the Behaviour and Conduct Office if they’ve experienced unwanted interpersonal behaviour.
• Make sure everyone is included in kōrero and encourage the sharing of different ideas and opinions.
• Have a chat with your team to check in on how well you are all working together.
• Promote and demonstrate healthy behaviours and self-care – bullying and harassment are less likely to occur when people are looking after themselves.
• Go for a walk around the office to check in on those around you (and get some steps in for your own wellbeing).
• Ask yourself what one thing is that you could do to make a positive difference in your team and try it.

With all these options, please remember you need to ensure your own physical, psychological and emotional safety before you can help others effectively.

Meet your Behaviour and Conduct Office team

Earlier in the week Raewyn Bleakley, our Deputy Chief Executive of the Office of the Chief Executive, caught up with some of the Behaviour and Conduct Office team to have a kōrero about what they do. Have a watch and meet the team who are here to help you.

Learning modules

Two new online modules are now available on Learning Station:

• Our Words Matter(external link)
• Being an Upstander(external link)

These short learning modules will help us understand what we can do support a positive workplace culture and provide practical tips that we can all implement in our daily lives. Take some time this Pink Shirt Day to work through the modules and keep extending your knowledge in these important areas.

Useful resources

There’s a range of useful information and resources on the Portal to support our positive workplace culture mahi.

• ‘How do I?’ guides: these outline, step by step, the processes followed to address bullying, harassment, victimisation or sexual harm at Fire and Emergency. There are guides for those who may experience unwanted behaviour, witnesses, support people, managers and those who are advised their behaviour is unwanted.
• Behaviour and Conduct Office Kōrero Videos: In this video series, our Chief Executive Kerry Gregory and Deputy Chief Executive, Office of the Chief Executive, Raewyn Bleakley discuss the background, purpose and operation of our Behaviour and Conduct Office.
• Webinars with Jacqui Maguire: Earlier this year we held two webinars with clinical psychologist, Jacqui Maguire. In these, Jacqui share strategies for leaders and for all our people to look after their own wellbeing, and that of their teams.
  • Webinar one: Staying well in uncertain times
  • Webinar two: Effective leadership during challenging times
• Seeking wellbeing support: options available to all Fire and Emergency people.

Pink Shirts!

ELT getting behind Pink Shirt Day!	The Service Delivery Leadership Team showing their support.
Te Ūpoko Region Leadership Team looking sharp!	Te Kei Region Leadership Team proudly wearing pink.
Te Ihu Region and District teams get into the spirit.	Mid-South Canterbury stand tall and show respect for one another.
Te Ihu Region Leadership Team awash with pink!