Fortescue suspends senior executive under sexual harassment probe

Fortescue, Australia's third-largest miner, has suspended a senior executive amid a sexual harassment investigation, according to a Reuters report. The unnamed executive is accused of harassment and bullying and the allegations were first reported by the Australian Financial Review. Fortescue has engaged law firm MinterEllison to investigate the matter.

The company stated that they are taking the allegations extremely seriously and have continued to seek external legal and governance advice. The employee will not be involved in any work for Fortescue while the investigation is ongoing. Energy chief Gus Pichot's initial statement said legal advice did not require suspension, but this has changed.

Fortescue has faced persistent sexual harassment issues at its mine sites in Western Australia, leading to a state inquiry in 2021. The company has been served a class action alleging workplace misconduct, including sexual harassment and sex discrimination, filed by law firm JGA Saddler. The class action is one of several brought against major mining companies in recent years.

Fortescue reported a 20% drop in psychosocial breaches in the latest financial year, with 98 incidents reported. The company has also dismissed 11 employees for code of conduct breaches related to discrimination and sexual harassment.