21 March 2025
S Callen
By email to:
[FYI request #30185 email]
Dear S Callen
OFFICIAL INFORMATION ACT REQUEST 2025/07
On Saturday 22 February 2025, you made a request under the Official Information Act 1982 (the
OIA) for the following information:
How many business units does the Commission have, and how many people are on the executive
leadership team?
What is the core headcount of the Commission? Please advise the number of employees in each
business unit?
Does the Electoral Commission undertake an annual engagement survey to ask about employee
experience with bullying and the Commission's response to managing bullies in the workplace? If
so, what were the results of the survey and did any business unit have a higher number of
bullying complaints than others?
How many bullying incidents have been investigated, and substantiated in the workplace?
Can you provide a breakdown of bullying complaints by business unit? I am aware bullying in the
workplace can be quite hard to measure especially if psychosocial safety is low. What steps if any
have been taken to improve the engagement and psychosocial safety of employees in the
workplace?
Finally how many people have had "without prejudice" conversations resulting in them being
exited from the Commission along with a settlement agreement? Had any of these people
complained of being bullied by their manager?
I would appreciate it if you could provide this information for the most recent available period. If
possible, please include any relevant details or breakdowns that can help understand the context
of these complaints.
The Commission has 6 business units: Operations, Enterprise Services, Strategy, Governance and
Development, Programme, Māori Advisory and Legal, Regulation and Policy. There are 8 people on
the Executive Leadership Team. The current headcount of the Commission is 166 which is made up
of 153 permanent employees and 13 fixed term employees. The numbers of people in each business
unit is set out below. The Office of the Chief Executive includes the ELT members (including the Chief
Executive) and an Executive Assistant.
Business Unit
Headcount
Office of the Chief Executive
9
Operations
94
Enterprise Services
34
Electoral Commission
Level 4, 34-42 Manners Street, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 495 0030 Fax +64 4 495 0031
www.vote.nz | www.elections.nz
Business Unit
Headcount
Strategy, Governance and Development
12
Programme
9
Māori Advisory
2
Legal, Regulation and Policy
6
Total
166
In November 2024, the Board approved an updated Workplace Behaviour Policy in consultation with
our staff. As part of this work, comprehensive guidance with tools and resources for all employees
was produced. During 2024, the Commission ran workshops with our staff and managers on
workplace behaviours. 88% of employees found the activities and content covered in the workshop
was useful. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive workplace culture where all people
are respected and valued.
The Commission uses Ask Your Team for employee engagement surveys. In October 2022 and March
2024, the Commission’s survey asked the same three questions about unacceptable behaviour which
are in the table below along with the responses.
Question
Answer 2022
Answer 2024
The Commission has clear and
58% average question score
51% average question score
effective systems for dealing
across the Commission with
across the Commission with
with unacceptable behaviours responses ranging from 49% to responses ranging from 43% to
83%
69%
How we deal with
52% average question score
43% average question score
unacceptable behaviours is
across the Commission with
across the Commission with
applied equally to everyone
responses ranging from 48% to responses ranging from 14% to
working for the Commission
60%
68%
In the last 12 months I have
Yes 37% and No 63% with
Yes 45% and No 55% with
observed bullying or
responses ranging from Yes
responses ranging from Yes
intimidating behaviour at the
0%-46% and No 54%-100%
9%-78% and No 22%-91%.
Commission
To date we have not had any bullying incidents investigated and substantiated. We have provided
support and information to employees who have raised concerns about unacceptable workplace
behaviour. Employees are aware how to raise a complaint formally and informally. Ongoing, our
People and Culture Business Partners meet with teams to discuss ways to raise concerns about
unacceptable behaviours.
Our new Workplace Behaviour policy that was approved in November 2024 requires us to keep a
register of complaints and to date we do not have any complaints on the register.
Since November 2023, two permanent employees have had a
"without prejudice" conversation and
have left the Commission. Neither of these cases involved complaints of bullying by their manager.
Electoral Commission
Level 4, 34-42 Manners Street, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 495 0030 Fax +64 4 495 0031
www.vote.nz | www.elections.nz
In the interests of transparency, we release responses to Official Information Act requests every 3
months. We will publish this response with your personal details redacted.
You have the right under section 28(3) of the Act to make a complaint to the Ombudsman if you are
not satisfied with the response to your request. Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Yours sincerely
Lucy Hickman
Deputy Chief Executive, Enterprise Services
Electoral Commission
Level 4, 34-42 Manners Street, PO Box 3220, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Telephone +64 4 495 0030 Fax +64 4 495 0031
www.vote.nz | www.elections.nz
