Fire and Emergency New Zealand boss turns hose on bullying, harassment

By RNZ

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s chief executive says the organisation is working to abolish poor behaviour.

Kerry Gregory’s message on social media comes after two independent reviews outlined bullying, harassment, sexism and racism in its culture.

He said the organisation’s reputation was being tarnished by those acting inappropriately, and those not willing to follow Fire and Emergency’s code of conduct should leave.

“My message is simple. Enough’s enough.

“Our organisation’s values are not just words on a page. They describe who we are and what we want to be. If you’re not willing to uphold our values, be accountable for your actions and show respect for those around you, then maybe Fire and Emergency is no longer the place for you to work or volunteer.”

Enough is Enough

A message from our Chief Executive Kerry Gregory, Today, I’m sharing a message that reflects my commitment to the people of Fire and Emergency New Zealand and to you, the people we serve. Every day, you place your trust in us to be there when it matters most. I’m honoured that, year after year, we are recognised as the most trusted public sector organisation. This recognition is a testament to the hard mahi and passion of our people. But within our organisation, trust and respect are areas we must continue to work on. I do not share this as new information. Two independent reviews into our organisation’s culture, have outlined where we’ve fallen short, and that behaviour such as bullying, harassment, sexism, and racism exist within Fire and Emergency New Zealand. We are not a broken organisation. Everyday our people do extraordinary things, whether it’s on the frontline serving their communities, or in our offices across the motu, working diligently to improve our service and operations. I am blown away by the dedication and talent of the people who work and volunteer for us. However, the actions of a few are creating an unsafe environment for some. My message is clear – enough is enough; this must end. Yesterday, I shared the below video with our organisation, reaffirming my commitment to hold myself and those around me accountable, and to ask everyone to do the same. We’ve already taken steps to make Fire and Emergency a safer and more inclusive place to work and volunteer. We are improving policies and processes, but lasting change requires more. It requires everyone recognising the impact of their actions and speaking up when they witness poor behaviour. It requires us to create an environment where our people feel safe to speak out. Creating this environment is much more than a priority for me – it’s essential for the future of our organisation. That’s why I am sharing this message with you today. I want you to know that we’re continuing to make Fire and Emergency a stronger, more resilient organisation that lives up to the trust you place in us. I want you to know that when our people stand by you, Fire and Emergency stands behind them. E mihi ana ki a koutou katoa, thank you all - for the support you show our organisation, both in the past and as we move forward together.

Posted by Fire and Emergency NZ on Tuesday 10 December 2024

In the video, Gregory acknowledged members who felt anxious and unsafe about going to work, saying it genuinely upsets him.

“The feedback we received was direct and difficult to hear, but it was accurate and necessary and I’m committed to doing it better.

“When I reflect on why this behaviour has continued, I believe it’s because there’s a sense that it’s acceptable or that those responsible are untouchable and there’s been a lack of trust in our organisation’s ability to act.”

He said it needed to stop for the safety of Fire and Emergency staff.

Gregory wanted members to hold themselves and other staff accountable.

“If you see or hear something that you feel crosses the line, whether it’s hurtful, disrespectful or just doesn’t sit well with you, say something. This isn’t about confrontation, it’s about having honest conversations.”

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