Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) has shared a detailed external review of its workplace culture, which was undertaken as part of the company's goal of attaining long-term cultural change throughout its global operations. The study is part of Rio Tinto's Everyday Respect task force's efforts to better identify, avoid, and react to negative workplace behaviors, which was established in March 2021.
The report includes 26 specific suggestions, that will help the corporation enhance how it stops and handles discrimination and other forms of improper workplace behaviors. Former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick conducted the study, which found troubling evidence of bullying, sexual harassment, racism, and other types of discrimination throughout the organization.
Furthermore, the duration of the study was eight-month. During the process of the study, more than 10,000 people share their experiences, views, and insights via an online survey, as well as through more than 100 group listening sessions, 85 secret individual listening sessions, and nearly 140 individual written submissions.
Findings of Report
The report discovered that bullying and sexism are systemic across Rio Tinto worksites. It has been discovered that almost half of the people face bullying in the organization. The report uncovered that 28.2% of women and 6.7% of men have suffered sexual harassment at work, 21 women reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault.
Racism is prevalent in a variety of settings, according to the study, which found that people working in a country other than their birth country encountered high rates of racism and that 39.8% of men and 31.8 percent of women in Australia who recognized as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander experienced racism.
Recommendations
Rio Tinto has decided to implement all recommendations from the report. The companies will focus on three key areas. The leadership of the company pledged to establish safe, courteous, and diverse work environments to avoid harmful behaviors and better help people who are vulnerable. This includes broadening the company's diversity.
Moreover, the company assure the safety and inclusion of the company's camp and village facilities. This involves ensuring that the organization employs the same safety and risk processes to create a safe workplace for all employees and contractors as it does to prevent harm in operations.
Additionally, there is a need that company will make it as simple and safe as possible for everyone to report inappropriate behaviors, raise issues when they arise, and receive support. This involves implementing early intervention strategies and enhancing how the organization handles formal workplace concerns.