Rio Tinto Ltd (LSE:RIO, ASX:RIO, OTC:RTNTF) has seen more reported instances of bullying and an increase in rape allegations despite efforts to improve its workplace culture.
The miner, which launched an initiative to change its culture two years ago, said while there have been improvements in some areas others had deteriorated further.
In a 76-page progress review, former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick noted that a rise in bullying against women was in part “retaliation” to Rio Tinto’s efforts to “promote gender diversity and inclusion”.
Overall, 39% of survey respondents had experienced bullying in the last 12 months – up from 31% in 2021, following a survey of more than 10,000 staff.
“Generally, while reports of bullying increased across all genders, the largest increase between 2021 and 2024 was against women,” the report said.
“This change can be explained by 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.”
Rio said it had also received eight allegations of rape or attempted rape in the past 12 months, up from five cases in 2021.
A further 32 employees reported experiencing pressure or requests for sex or sexual acts compared to 37 people in 2021.
Broderick said that people working at Rio continued to experience “harmful behaviours”, although she pointed out that half of the survey respondents reported a perceived improvement in bullying (50%), sexual harassment (47%) and racism (46%).
Kellie Parker, the head of Rio Australia, said some of the report’s findings were “horrible to read”.
“There’s definitely a spectrum of behaviour here,” she said.
“You get low-level sexism and racism and people often once they’ve … been given feedback, they absolutely change. But some of the way more serious cases that we’ve seen, it’s been terminations, and that absolutely has happened across our business.”
In a statement, Rio Tinto’s chief executive Jakob Stausholm apologised and said: “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.
“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.”