Counting the Cost

In Counting the Cost, a report developed in collaboration with the Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission, it is estimated that the economic cost of workplace bullying and harassment on New Zealand employers is at least $1.34 billion annually.

The report builds on a study published by the Commission in 2022, analysing survey data from over 2,500 workers across New Zealand. This is the first time these costs have been estimated for New Zealand.

Understanding the economic cost of bullying and harassment will help inform public discussion and guide employers. The report highlights a clear business case for employers to invest in proactively addressing bullying and harassment in the workplaces.

KPMG developed the model to create the estimates, which considered bullying, sexual and racial harassment and the economic costs to employers arising from absenteeism, presenteeism, turnover, replacement, and internal complaints. The report was supported by KPMG on a pro bono basis.