0800 ZERO BULLY gets big response

A helpline set up to tackle workplace bullying has been inundated with calls.

Anne Tucker, managing director of Stratos Ltd, the company running the helpline, said the line had received 1100 calls in its first three days after it was launched last week.

The helpline is set up to provide information and advice to the victims of workplace bullying, bullies themselves and companies, Ms Tucker said in a statement today.

"The number of calls received last week supports our concern that New Zealand has a big problem with workplace bullying which results in unhappy and unproductive employees," she said.

"The majority of calls have come from targets of bullies, who have been delighted to find a place where they can talk freely about the problem and seek advice and support."

The establishment of the helpline coincides with last week's release of the book, Workplace Bullying -- the costly business secret.

It is estimated that workplace bullying effects half New Zealand's working population and costs the local economy millions of dollars each year in losses from absenteeism, high staff turnover and reduced staff performance.

Ms Tucker said there had been some technical problems with the line last week, but it was now operating smoothly.

The line, 0800 ZERO BULLY will eventually be taken over by the Workplace Bullying Institute, she said.

- NZPA