Australian mining company Rio Tinto's latest progress report, written by former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, has revealed a rise in complaints of sexual assault and bullying, as reported by the Financial Times. This is despite the company's efforts to improve workplace culture.
Eight employees reported experiencing actual or attempted sexual assault or rape in the past year, up from five in 2022. Reports of sexual harassment decreased slightly, with 7% of respondents reporting incidents, while bullying complaints increased from 31% to 39%. The report links this increase, particularly against women, to backlash against Rio Tinto's diversity and inclusion initiatives. "Increasing retaliation in the form of gendered bullying [occurred] as a response to Rio's efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion," it reads.
Global CEO Jakob Stausholm described the findings as "disturbing" but noted the rise in reported cases partially reflected a greater willingness among employees to come forward. He reaffirmed the company's commitment to cultural reform, stating, "We are not going to let go." Kellie Parker, CEO of Rio Tinto's Australian business, acknowledged the societal concerns influencing the backlash. "People know the world is changing and react to that," she said. Parker stressed that the company would not tolerate extreme behavior, noting several employees had been dismissed for bullying.
The report, which follows Broderick's 2022 review exposing widespread misconduct, shows mixed perceptions of progress. About half of respondents felt the company had improved, while 8% believed bullying had worsened.
In a Peer Perspectives article contributed to Starling's 2024 Compendium, Elizabeth Broderick discusses how poor culture harms not only employees, but also — over the long run — corporate performance and innovation.
"In today’s business world, workplace culture lays the foundation for success, linking the lived experiences of employees with the performance metrics of the organisation," she writes. "The greatest organisational successes occur when human dignity meets corporate prosperity. This is where the values of inclusivity and respect become not just moral imperatives but also strategic advantages." ▸ Read More
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