Praveen Menon

Rio Tinto (NYSE) released Tuesday a report detailing a culture that encourages bullying, harassment, and racism. It also included 21 allegations of sexual assault or actual rape over the last five years.

Rio commissioned an outside review to assess the culture of the miner’s workplace. Nearly 50% of respondents said that they were bullied. Racism was also common in a variety of other areas.

Jakob Stausholm, Rio Tinto’s Chief Executive, stated that the results are “disturbing”, and that the company will implement the 26 recommendations made by Elizabeth Broderick (ex-Australian sex discrimination Commissioner).

Stausholm explained to Reuters that two things were eye-openers for him. “I didn’t know how bullying existed in this company. And secondly, that it was quite systematic – the three issues that are bullying, sexual harassment, and racism…that’s very troubling.”

Rio Tinto began the review last March. Nearly a quarter (10,000) of the 45,000 employees in Rio Tinto shared their views and experiences for this study.

According to the report, nearly 30% of women and approximately 7% percent of men experienced workplace harassment. 21 female victims reported that they were subjected to rape or assault.

Many employees found that racism was a major problem in many places. While people who work in a different country to their home experience high levels of racism, nearly 40% of Australian men who identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander have experienced racism.

One anonymous employee stated that “I have been subjected to racism in every corner of this business.”

Rio indicated that the reforms will be centered on Rio’s commitment to the company’s leadership in creating an inclusive and safe working environment. This would ensure that the remote mining sites are secure and allow staff to report unacceptable behavior.

SEXISM and RACISM

Rio’s report will be followed by a report from the West Australia government on the sexual harassment of workers in camps at the mines. This state supplies more than half the world’s iron ore supply.

The inquiry received submissions last year claiming that there was sexual harassment at Western Australian mining camps. These camps are home to global mines such as Fortescue, Rio Tinto, and BHP Group (NYSE :).

An inquiry by the Australian Human Rights Commission on sexual harassment was published in 2020. It found that 74% women working in mining had suffered some kind of sexual harassment over the previous five years.

Rio Tinto has nearly 80% male employees.

Kellie Parker (Australian CEO at Rio Tinto), stated that “Creating a safe and respectful work culture will encourage people from all backgrounds to thrive within our organizations.”

South Africa had the highest rate of racism among both male and female employees. Employees spoke out about the impact racism has on their self-esteem, work performance and confidence.

According to one report, “Rio” is a Caucasian-oriented business.

Rio stated that the report was timely as workplace culture shifts against the background of #MeToo and Black Lives Matter, as well an Australian inquiry into Rio’s destruction of Juukan Gorge culturally important rock shelters.

Stausholm stated that Juukan Gorge was the most significant management shift in Rio’s history and that the new team wanted more change.

It’s about using momentum now to make these actions move forward quickly, because they cannot be changed from one day on.