Pink Shirt Day (Friday 19th May) is an important one on the MATES calendar as we speak up, stand together and do our bit to stop bullying alongside our industry and the wider community.
Harassment and bullying affect all sectors in New Zealand. Pink Shirt Day is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion.
Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink.
Here in Aotearoa, the Mental Health Foundation have been celebrating Pink Shirt Day since 2009 and the campaign grows every year.
MATES have supported the cause since 2020 and will be out on site today to support both the cause and the construction industry.
The 2022 New Zealand Human Rights Commission study titled ‘Experiences of Workplace Bullying and Harassment in Aotearoa New Zealand’ offers some eye-opening statistics.
The study stated that the most common immediate impacts of the harassment and bullying are worsening mental or physical health (64%), a loss of self-confidence (46%), and direct impacts on a person’s job or career (53%).
Furthermore, workplace harassment and bullying causes many workers to feel disrespected (60%), uncomfortable (57%), angry (47%), frustrated (45%) and anxious (44%).
Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora!
Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying.
Click below for the MATES Pink Shirt Day Mental Health Toolbox.
