WorkSafe is consulting on new health and safety guidelines for PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking) that aim to highlight the importance of supporting mentally healthy work.

The guidelines aim to describe, in plain language, the psychosocial risks at work and what mentally healthy work is by:

  • defining and giving examples of psychosocial risks
  • explaining the importance of managing psychosocial risks at work
  • introducing factors influencing mentally healthy work and how they can impact business
  • providing examples of how to manage psychosocial risks
  • providing advice for responding when workers experience psychosocial harm at work.

Please note

  • This draft does not necessarily present WorkSafe’s final position on the information contained within it.
  • As the guidelines are in a draft format, some illustrations may appear in low resolution. Once the content has been confirmed, the guidelines will be reformatted.
  • We have more detailed guidance on bullying and sexual harassment, with future guidance on stress planned.

Who the guidelines are for

The audience for the guidelines is PCBUs (persons conducting a business or undertaking).

PCBUs must provide and maintain a work environment that is without risks to safety and health, so far as is reasonably practicable. This includes risks to workers’ mental health. These guidelines aim to help manage these risks.

How to provide feedback 

Anyone is welcome to provide feedback. We want to hear from a range of PCBUs, but particularly from small to medium business owners, from any industry.

To provide feedback, please read the draft guidelines and send us your feedback using the form below.

Email your completed form to guidanceandeducationdevelopment@worksafe.govt.nz with the subject line ‘Mentally healthy work guidelines consultation feedback’.

Submissions now close on the extended date of Friday 15 December 2023.

Privacy

The Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) allows New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, or anyone in New Zealand, to request official information from the government - including copies of submissions.

We will let you know if we receive an OIA request for a copy of your submission. The content of your submission may be made available to the public, however you can indicate on the response form whether you would prefer your details to be kept confidential.

We will manage any personal information you supply in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.