Australian Miner Fortescue Fires Senior Executive After Harassment and Bullying Probe
PERTH — Fortescue, Australia's third-largest miner, said on Wednesday it had fired a senior executive following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and bullying. The investigation, conducted by law firm MinterEllison, found conduct that breached company policies and values, a Fortescue spokesperson said in a statement reported by Reuters. The company did not name the executive or provide additional details of the findings.
"Sexual harassment, bullying and other behaviour that makes people feel unsafe has no place at Fortescue," the statement said. "The investigation found conduct that breached Fortescue's policies, as well as our values. The board sub-committee overseeing the matter therefore ceased the individual's contract."
The allegations were first made public in August by the Australian Financial Review, and Fortescue suspended the executive later that month after initially saying legal advice indicated suspension was not necessary.
Sexual harassment has been a persistent issue at mine sites in Western Australia and prompted a state inquiry in 2021, Reuters noted. Fortescue was also served in July with a class action alleging workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 堪培拉 Capital Hill 与国会大厦一带鸟瞰。图片：© Christopher Lee / CC BY-SA 4.0，Wikimedia Commons
