Miningmx reports that Gold Fields said it was “distressed” to learn the scale of bullying, racism and sexual harassment in the organisation following an internal review.
About 47% of 1,310 employees who participated in a workplace culture survey at the gold producer conducted by a consultancy said they had experienced bullying. In addition, 23% of women and 7% of men reported experiencing sexual harassment while 15% of participants had experienced racism. The study also found that 29% of respondents who identify as LGBTIQ+ reported having experienced harassment, with many reluctant to openly acknowledge their status in the workplace. “The board is distressed at the EB&Co Review findings and the negative impact of these unacceptable behaviours on so many Gold Fields employees and contractors,” said Gold Fields chairperson Yunus Suleman. Martin Preece, interim Gold Fields CEO, reacted: “Harmful behaviours cannot and will not be tolerated in our workplaces. These findings show not only the prevalence of these behaviours, but the toll they take on the health and wellbeing of our people.” Preece added that Gold Fields was implementing review findings, which included training and awareness programmes and reviewing and updating polices and supporting processes. The mining sector has a track-record of poor workplace culture.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx
- Read too, Gold Fields study reveals rampant workplace bullying, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
- And also, Gold Fields 'distressed' over pervasive bullying, sexual harassment, racism at its operations, at Fin24
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