12 December 2013
A new era for workplace health, safety and wellness
Skylight, a respected trauma and grief support agency, is delighted that the government is establishing a new crown
entity, Worksafe NZ, in recognition of the importance of supporting employees’ health, safety and wellbeing at work.
Worksafe NZ, which commences operations on 16 December, will aim to reduce New Zealand’s workplace injury and death toll
by 25 percent by 2020.
The timely launch of Skylight’s brand new handbook, Managing trauma, loss and grief in the workplace, produced in association with leading employee assistance programme provider EAPworks, will assist organisations in the
development and management of their health, safety and wellbeing culture.
This essential handbook has been written for employers, business owners, and board trustees, senior executives, HR,
managers and supervisors and addresses the significant challenges of trauma, loss and grief in the workplace and their
implications on productivity. The handbook is complemented by a high quality Professional Development Workshop which is
relevant to workplace leaders at all levels.
Following the establishment of Worksafe NZ, a new Health and Safety Reform Bill will be introduced into Parliament next
year. This new legislation will make employers responsible for ensuring the work environment is safe and healthy for
their employees, and for any visiting stakeholders. Workplace leaders will have an obligation to try to prevent
work-related harm – including stress, which can cause physical, mental or emotional ill-health – among their staff. It’s
critically important that workplaces in New Zealand take action now to implement good practices in advance of this new
legislation and Skylight’s handbook, which has just been endorsed by Safeguard magazine in their December issue, will help to achieve this.
Managing trauma, loss and grief in the workplace is available for purchase ($60 plus postage and packaging) from Skylight’s online shop, www.skylight.org.nz, or by calling 0800 299 100.
ENDS