Mining giant Rio Tinto apologises after review exposes problem with harassment

A mining giant boss has apologised after a review into its workplace culture exposed multiple allegations of sexual assault, bullying and racism in the past year.

A mining giant boss has apologised after an independent review into the company’s workplace culture found unacceptable behaviour still persisted at the company, with staff reporting incidents of sexual assault, bullying and racism.

Rio Tinto released a progress review into its Everyday Respect report which was conducted by Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick in 2022.

In the past year, eight people reported actual or attempted sexual assault or rape and 32 people said they had been pressured for sex or sexual acts. Most of the cases involved women.

Almost 40 per cent of respondents said they had been bullied at work and another 7 per cent had experienced racism.

A review into Rio Tinto’s workplace culture found in the past year 8 people reported actual or attempted sexual assault or rape and 32 people had been pressured for sex or sexual acts. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg

Rio Tino chief executive officer Jakob Stausholm said he was “greatly troubled” by the findings.

“People are still experiencing behaviours and attitudes in our company that are unacceptable and harmful,” he said.

“ I am greatly troubled by this and sincerely apologise on behalf of our leadership team to anyone affected.

“I want to thank everyone across our business who has shown the courage to speak up, as your honesty will guide our ongoing efforts to become an organisation where every day is safe, respectful, and productive for everyone.

“I am proud and greatly encouraged by the genuine effort across Rio Tinto to change and to make Everyday Respect part of our daily conversations, and by the fact that this progress review shows the majority of our people believe we are heading in the right direction.

Rio Tino chief executive officer Jakob Stausholm said he was “greatly troubled” by the findings of the review and apologised to employees who were affected by unacceptable behaviour at work. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen

“The review also shows that while progress is being made, achieving the sustained change we want to see in our culture will require ongoing focus and effort. My message today is that we will stay the course.”

About half of the recommendations from the Everyday Respect report have been implemented at the company since 2022.

Commissioner Broderick applauded Rio Tinto’s leadership and commitment to transparency in driving cultural change.

“This is a significant undertaking in a global company with a growing and dynamic workforce, diverse roles and complex working environments,” she said.

“I am not surprised to see some areas where results haven’t improved, this is a normal part of the cultural change process. “With sustained focus from Rio Tinto, we should expect to see the positive change spread over time.”

More than 11,600 employees took part in the review.