A study funded by the Department of Labour and the Health Research Council has found that New Zealand has a culture of bullying in the workplace.
A joint international research team, led by Massey University, says New Zealand is at the high end of reported international levels of bullying.
The study surveyed 1700 workers in the education, health, hospitality and travel sectors and found nearly a fifth had experienced consistent bullying in the past six months.
It defined bullying as experiencing at least two specific negative acts on a weekly basis for at least six months.
A negative act included threats of violence, spreading rumours, not disclosing information, not inviting people to meetings and taking credit for another's work.
Massey University says it is difficult to assess the cost of workplace bullying but it significantly affects productivity.
