Fortescue fires top executive after harassment probe
- Fortescue terminated a senior executive following a law firm probe that substantiated sexual harassment and bullying allegations.
- Following the announcement the Fortescue share price was down at $15.20.
- The decision aligns with the company's efforts to enforce workplace conduct standards amid an ongoing class action lawsuit over its mine site culture.
Fortescue (ASX:FMG) terminated a senior executive after an external legal investigation by MinterEllison substantiated allegations of sexual harassment and bullying.
The workplace inquiry commenced in July after a colleague submitted formal complaints regarding the executive's workplace conduct.
“Sexual harassment, bullying, and other behaviour that makes people feel unsafe has no place at Fortescue,” said a Fortescue spokeswoman.
The company initially permitted the unnamed executive to remain in the office during the inquiry before issuing a suspension after initial witness interviews.
Following the announcement the Fortescue share price was down at $15.20.
Separately, law firm JGA Saddler filed a class action lawsuit in June alleging systemic gender discrimination and toxic culture across Fortescue’s Pilbara iron ore operations.
The company previously faced heightened scrutiny over executive turnover following the high-profile departures of chief executive Fiona Hick and CFO Christine Morris in August 2023.
