Two years into its ongoing cultural transformation initiative, Rio Tinto has unveiled findings from a comprehensive external progress review. The report acknowledges notable advancements in workplace culture, innovation, and overall performance, suggesting that progress is genuinely underway. Nevertheless, it also identifies some areas still exhibiting problematic behaviors that demand sustained attention and remedial efforts.
The review was carried out by Elizabeth Broderick, a former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, who previously led the Everyday Respect examination of workplace culture, which Rio Tinto made public in 2022. This recent assessment indicates that Rio Tinto's response to the Everyday Respect Report is gathering momentum across the organization, laying a strong groundwork for fostering a more diverse workforce and creating a culture of inclusion.
According to the Progress Review, most of the 26 recommendations from the 2022 Everyday Respect Report have been implemented, with some ongoing actions, such as continuous investment in infrastructure. Despite these developments, some harmful behaviors persist within Rio Tinto's workplaces.
Survey data reveal that approximately half of the participants noticed improvements in addressing issues of bullying (50%), sexual harassment (47%), and racism (46%). However, a minority observed a deterioration in these areas, with 8% noting an increase in bullying, 2% in sexual harassment, and 4% in racism. A significant portion of respondents expressed confidence in the company's potential to make substantial strides in tackling these issues over the coming years. There is a growing sense of empowerment among employees to voice their concerns, and Everyday Respect has become a standard part of workplace discussions, indicating a vital milestone in the cultural shift. Nonetheless, survey data serves as a lagging indicator, implying that the full impact of these changes may not yet be fully appreciated by the workforce.
The analysis revealed that over the past year, harmful behaviors persisted within Rio Tinto's work environments. Eight individuals reported instances of actual or attempted sexual assault or rape, up from five incidents in 2021. Thirty-two people were subjected to pressure or requests for sex or sexual acts, slightly down from 37 in 2021, with the majority affected in both instances being women. Furthermore, 7% of respondents experienced sexual harassment, a figure unchanged from 2021. Reports of bullying rose to 39%, compared to 31% in the previous year. The percentage of respondents reporting experiences of racism remained constant at 7%, unchanged from the prior year.
