Fortescue receives White Ribbon Australia workplace accreditation

Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) has successfully completed the White Ribbon Australia Workplace Accreditation Program, which recognises the Company’s ongoing commitment to addressing family and domestic violence.

Facilitated by community service organisation Communicare, the program requires businesses to meet 15 criteria under three standards to demonstrate a safer and more respectful workplace which is taking active steps to stop violence against women. The internationally recognised program has reached more than 600,000 Australian employees to date. 

Fortescue Chief Operating Officer and White Ribbon Community Partner Greg Lilleyman said, “It is an honour to be recognised as a White Ribbon Australia accredited workplace and to play our part in responding to and ending violence against women.

“As a leader in the mining industry, we have a responsibility to speak out against family and domestic violence. Driven by our culture and values, we are committed to creating a workplace where every team member is safe and to positively contributing to social change in our community.

“The accreditation process helps ensure our team members are strong advocates, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to address family and domestic violence and provide support to those experiencing it,” Mr Lilleyman said.

In a further demonstration of Fortescue’s commitment, Mr Lilleyman will today participate in a Family and Domestic Violence Collaboration Virtual Panel Event, facilitated by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy, to mark Human Rights Day and the end of the 16 Days in WA – Stop Violence Against Women campaign.

White Ribbon Australia Executive Director Brad Chilcott said, “Violence against women impacts on the health and safety of employees, their wellbeing and their productivity. It also has a negative impact on workplace culture, organisation reputation and bottom-line profit and loss.

“We urge all Australian workplaces to take the lead from Fortescue and demonstrate a culture of zero tolerance of violence against women,” Mr Chilcott said.

White Ribbon Australia is a part of a global social movement working to eliminate gendered violence, striving for an Australian society where all women and children are safe, including in the workplace.