Shine Lawyers is investigating a potential class action on behalf of employees and contractors of Rio Tinto Limited (Rio Tinto) and/or its related subsidiaries, who may have been subjected to sexual discrimination or sexual harassment at work on Australian mine sites. Class Actions’ Practice Leader, Sarah Thomson, said, “the investigation aims to determine whether Rio Tinto and/or its related subsidiaries, failed to take adequate steps to eliminate discrimination and sexual harassment for female employees as far as possible in its workplaces, and whether they are liable.”
On 1 February 2022, Elizabeth Broderick & Co released a report into workplace culture at Rio Tinto which ‘identified disturbing findings of bullying, sexual harassment, racism and other forms of discrimination through the company’. Broderick, who was the Sex Discrimination Commissioner from 2007-2015, was engaged to conduct the comprehensive independent review of the mining giant’s workplace culture to improve its global operations.
"The report found that a large proportion of female employees described enduring everyday sexism which impacted self-esteem, personal relationships and their employment.
“We do not live in a world that tolerates sexual abuse and harassment in any workplace. Women have spoken out about instances of sexual abuse and assault and ultimately being driven out of the industry for speaking out. We cannot let any employer get away with this conduct without consequence,” Ms Thomson said. Under the Sex Discrimination Act, an employer can be held vicariously liable for harassment by employees if the employer did not take ‘all reasonable steps to prevent the employee from committing the harassment’. Rio Tinto Group is the world's second-largest metals and mining corporation, employing approximately 45,450 people across 35 countries.
To find out more, visit: Rio Tinto Sexual Discrimination & Harassment Class Action Investigation.
