The Labour Party has accused the State Services Commission of trying to duck responsibility for the Roger Sutton case by launching a review.
Mr Sutton quit as head of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority after an investigation upheld complaints of sexual harassment.
The Commission is reviewing its guidelines on workplace harassment and the Commissioner Iain Rennie has written to all chief executives to remind them of their obligations.
But Labour leader Andrew Little said Mr Rennie was the one who should take responsibility.
He says Mr Rennie caused an absolute debacle by ignoring advice and allowing Mr Sutton to speak at a news conference.
"It's actually the State Services Commission has made the big mistake, they set the example for other chief executives and they didn't get it right that time."
Mr Little is sceptical of the Commission's review and said it looked like an attempt to shift blame.