The Stand Up, Step In: Active Bystander Intervention Guidelines are now available.

These are an initiative by Waihanga Ara Rau and Hanga-Aro-Rau Workforce Development Councils and have been developed to empower trade employers, managers, and workers to create a culture of accountability, and establish work environments that prioritise the safety, support, and respect.

Read the guidelines here.

Waihanga Ara Rau and Hanga-Aro-Rau have a shared goal of seeing all those in the trades thrive in fulfilling and sustainable careers. The guidelines are a companion piece to the Keep it Decent: Guidelines for Safe and Respectful Workplaces released last year. Stand up, step in provides practical tools and steps for employers, managers, and workers to actively support their co-workers and speak up when things aren’t okay.

Philip Aldridge, CE of Waihanga Ara Rau says “We are committed to supporting everyone in the trades to feel safe and respected at work. These guidelines and resources are an important tool in creating a culture that won’t tolerate bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment. Stand Up, Step In is another step in our journey of supporting industry to improve workplace culture, encourage greater staff retention, and build a resilient and sustainable workforce.”

Industry and trade organisations are being asked to Stand Up, Step In. By standing up and stepping in, it creates respectful, professional, and sustainable workplaces where anyone feels safe to bring out their best.

Let’s Stand Up, Step in to support all people in our trade industry:

• What’s up – Notice the event. Be observant, keep an eye out for each other.
• Listen up – Interpret the situation as a problem – trust your senses. If it seems off, it probably is.
• Stand up – Assume personal responsibility. If not you, then who? The risk of checking in or intervening is relatively low for you, but the risk of not doing anything can be extremely high for someone else.
• Step up – Know how to help. Determine how to help. Use the 5Ds – direct, distract, delegate, delay, document.
• Follow up – Check in with your mates a few days later.

“These guidelines set out practical tips for everyone in our industries to become active bystanders and stand up for those that have been traditionally marginalised in our workforces. Everyone is welcome in the trades, and we must all actively work to prioritise inclusion and diversity, observe fair employment practices, and not tolerate discrimination of any kind,” says Samantha McNaughton, Deputy CE of Hanga-Aro-Rau.

A two-part webinar, “Practical Approaches to Bystander Interventions” is being held to support the release of Stand Up, Step In.  Amy Crookston (Lead Facilitator RespectEd) and lawyer Steph Dyhrberg will delve deeper into the actionable steps and techniques that can be implemented to foster a culture of bystander intervention. The webinars are suitable for anyone who wants to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become effective bystander allies.

Every action matters. By stepping up and stepping in, we can create a positive change together.

The development of the Guidelines is supported by the Tertiary Education Commission and was developed in consultation with our trade industry and community partners as well as women in trade stakeholder groups.

Register for “Practical Approaches to Bystander Interventions” webinars here: Part One, Part Two

Further resources for supporting women in trades, including an Online Toolkit and Equity Directory,  are available here at www.tradecareers.co.