The Dane was the chief financial officer of Rio but was selected for the top job in the wake of the Juukan Gorge disaster.
The May 2020 destruction of culturally significant Aboriginal ground, as well as its immediate response (or lack thereof) in the subsequent days absolutely trashed Rio's reputation.
Since taking over as CEO, Stausholm has made it his priority as CEO to repair the company's reputation and relationship with traditional owners after the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters last year.
Stausholm also spent several months in Australia last year and visited Juukan Gorge, an experience he described as "painful and emotional".
He installed Kellie Parker as chief executive Australia and formed an Indigenous Advisory Group.
"When people are proud to put on the uniform again, that will be a reason to celebrate," Parker said in September 2021.
It's unlikely that will be any time soon, after the results of a damning report into workplace culture were released yesterday.
The eight-month review, conducted by former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, saw more than 10,000 people share their experiences, views and insights via an online survey.
The report found that almost half of respondents experienced bullying and 39.8% of men and 31.8% of women who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in Australia experienced racism.
Twenty-one women reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault, while 28.2% of women and 6.7% of men had experienced sexual harassment at work.
While the report shared "deeply disturbing" insights, its public release is a reflection of Stausholm's genuine efforts to drive change and his realisation that trust cannot be built without transparency.
"This report is not a reason for reduced confidence in Rio Tinto," Broderick said.
"By proactively commissioning this study, one of the largest of its kind within the resources industry, it demonstrates a very clear commitment to increased transparency, accountability and action.
"The high levels of confidence among employees that a significant impact can be made in the next two years are an encouraging sign that change can happen."
Broderick said in her interactions with Rio's leadership team, she observed a strong desire for transformational change.
The report also found there is strong appetite for cultural change within the company, including at senior leadership levels, and that there was a visible shift in attitudes and behaviour over the last 12 months.
The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility welcomed Rio's transparency.
"Leadership and accountability at all levels is required to eliminate unacceptable cultures of racism, sexism and bullying from our workplaces. Rio has taken the first step and is leading the mining industry with this report," ACCR executive director Brynn O'Brien said.
O'Brien said the evidence suggested harassment and bullying was widespread across the resources sector.
A Western Australian Parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment in the fly-in, fly-out mining sector is due to be handed down at the end of April and will likely contain some ugly truths.
But it will be an opportunity for the industry to actually address the issues and improve culture, which in turn will help improve diversity.
Fortescue Metals Group conducted a workplace integrity review last year and while it didn't release the results, it did implement new measures around alcohol, safety, training and encouraging team members to call out bad behaviour.
It will be interesting to see if any other mining companies follow.
FORUM
Credit to Rio for airing its dirty laundry
ONE would have to wonder if Jakob Stausholm understood the magnitude of the issues at Rio Tinto when he took over as CEO just over a year ago.
The Dane was the chief financial officer of Rio but was selected for the top job in the wake of the Juukan Gorge disaster.
The May 2020 destruction of culturally significant Aboriginal ground, as well as its immediate response (or lack thereof) in the subsequent days absolutely trashed Rio's reputation.
Since taking over as CEO, Stausholm has made it his priority as CEO to repair the company's reputation and relationship with traditional owners after the destruction of the Juukan Gorge rock shelters last year.
Stausholm also spent several months in Australia last year and visited Juukan Gorge, an experience he described as "painful and emotional".
He installed Kellie Parker as chief executive Australia and formed an Indigenous Advisory Group.
"When people are proud to put on the uniform again, that will be a reason to celebrate," Parker said in September 2021.
It's unlikely that will be any time soon, after the results of a damning report into workplace culture were released yesterday.
The eight-month review, conducted by former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, saw more than 10,000 people share their experiences, views and insights via an online survey.
The report found that almost half of respondents experienced bullying and 39.8% of men and 31.8% of women who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in Australia experienced racism.
Twenty-one women reported actual or attempted rape or sexual assault, while 28.2% of women and 6.7% of men had experienced sexual harassment at work.
While the report shared "deeply disturbing" insights, its public release is a reflection of Stausholm's genuine efforts to drive change and his realisation that trust cannot be built without transparency.
"This report is not a reason for reduced confidence in Rio Tinto," Broderick said.
"By proactively commissioning this study, one of the largest of its kind within the resources industry, it demonstrates a very clear commitment to increased transparency, accountability and action.
"The high levels of confidence among employees that a significant impact can be made in the next two years are an encouraging sign that change can happen."
Broderick said in her interactions with Rio's leadership team, she observed a strong desire for transformational change.
The report also found there is strong appetite for cultural change within the company, including at senior leadership levels, and that there was a visible shift in attitudes and behaviour over the last 12 months.
The Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility welcomed Rio's transparency.
"Leadership and accountability at all levels is required to eliminate unacceptable cultures of racism, sexism and bullying from our workplaces. Rio has taken the first step and is leading the mining industry with this report," ACCR executive director Brynn O'Brien said.
O'Brien said the evidence suggested harassment and bullying was widespread across the resources sector.
A Western Australian Parliamentary inquiry into sexual harassment in the fly-in, fly-out mining sector is due to be handed down at the end of April and will likely contain some ugly truths.
But it will be an opportunity for the industry to actually address the issues and improve culture, which in turn will help improve diversity.
Fortescue Metals Group conducted a workplace integrity review last year and while it didn't release the results, it did implement new measures around alcohol, safety, training and encouraging team members to call out bad behaviour.
It will be interesting to see if any other mining companies follow.
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