In a disturbing revelation, mining giant Rio Tinto’s latest review has exposed a worrying rise in reports of rape, attempted rape, and bullying among its workforce. The findings, detailed in a 76-page report authored by former Australian sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, paint a grim picture of the company’s struggle to transform its workplace culture and protect employees from harm.
Alarming Increase in Sexual Assault and Bullying Reports
According to the report, eight Rio Tinto employees reported allegations of rape or attempted rape in the past 12 months, a concerning increase from the five cases reported in 2021. Additionally, 32 employees reported experiencing pressure or requests for sex or sexual acts, down slightly from 37 people in 2021. The review also found that 39% of survey respondents had experienced bullying in the last 12 months, a significant jump from 31% in 2021.
Disturbingly, the largest increase in bullying reports was against women employees. The report suggests that this change can be attributed to a range of factors, including increasing retaliation in the form of gendered bullying as a response to Rio Tinto’s efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusion.
“Generally, while reports of bullying increased across all genders, the largest increase between 2021 and 2024 was against women,” the report stated.
– Elizabeth Broderick, former Australian sex discrimination commissioner
Gender Disparities in Bullying Experiences
One in two women at Rio Tinto were more likely to have experienced bullying in the last 12 months compared to 36% of men, according to the report. These figures represent a deterioration from 2021, where 36% of women and 29% of men reported suffering from bullying.
The report also highlighted resistance from some men within the company towards diversification programs, with feelings of being undervalued or overlooked due to the perceived stronger focus on gender balance and diversity. Some expressed views of reverse discrimination and concerns about the hiring of women who they believed were not suitably qualified.
Company Response and Commitment to Change
Rio Tinto’s chief executive, Jakob Stausholm, expressed his deep concern over the findings and apologized to victims on behalf of the leadership team. While acknowledging the progress highlighted in the review, with two in three employees expressing confidence in the company’s ability to make a meaningful difference in the next two years, Stausholm emphasized the need for ongoing focus and effort to achieve sustained cultural change.
“People are still experiencing behaviours and attitudes in our company that are unacceptable and harmful. I am greatly troubled by this and sincerely apologise on behalf of our leadership team to anyone affected,” Stausholm stated.
– Jakob Stausholm, Rio Tinto’s chief executive
The company has taken steps to address the issues, including investing in security upgrades at its camps and setting quotas for increasing female participation in its workforce. Bonuses at Rio Tinto have also been linked, in part, to progress made in adopting recommendations from previous reviews conducted by Broderick.
The Road Ahead: Sustained Focus and Cultural Transformation
While the latest review highlights some areas of progress, it also serves as a sobering reminder of the significant work that still lies ahead for Rio Tinto in its quest to build a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture. The company must remain steadfast in its commitment to implementing meaningful changes and supporting employees who have experienced harm.
As the mining industry grapples with longstanding issues of gender inequality, harassment, and discrimination, Rio Tinto’s experiences serve as a case study for the challenges and complexities involved in driving cultural transformation. The path forward requires unwavering dedication from leadership, robust policies and support systems, and a willingness to confront deeply entrenched attitudes and behaviors.
The alarming rise in sexual assault and bullying reports at Rio Tinto underscores the urgent need for the company, and the mining industry as a whole, to redouble their efforts in creating safer, more inclusive workplaces. Only through sustained action, accountability, and a genuine commitment to change can we hope to build a future where all employees can thrive and contribute without fear of harm or discrimination.
