The Fortescue family
Fortescue is a values-based business with a strong, differentiated culture that is maintained and strengthened through our leaders and every team member.
Safety is our number one priority and we focus on building safety leadership and a culture that empowers each person to look out for their mates. We strive to be an employer of choice and implement programs and incentives to attract, develop, challenge and retain our people.
Health and safety
As we strive to be a global leader in safety, the wellbeing of the entire Fortescue family is always our priority.
We recognise that our activities have the potential to expose our employees, contractors and communities to health and safety risks. We work to identify these risks and ensure suitable controls are in place to mitigate them.
Our safety culture is built from the ground up, with all team members required to uphold the highest standards. This builds an environment where everyone feels empowered to pause, reassess the task and implement controls where needed.
Wellbeing
The physical and mental health of our employees and contractors is a key focus. In 2016, we developed our Mental Health and Wellbeing Blueprint which provides the framework for how we support the health and wellbeing of our Fortescue family.
We have also undertaken a Mental Health Risk Assessment which focuses on preventative controls to protect the mental health of our workforce and reactive controls to help manage and support recovery after a mental health incident. This risk assessment was developed in consultation with teams across the business and included subject matter experts from our People team, Chaplains, senior operational team members, accommodation teams and health and safety professionals. This consolidated risk assessment captures existing controls as well as opportunities for improvement.
Our Chaplaincy team, a dedicated pastoral care service, offers support to all employees, contractors and their families with Chaplains available at all our sites. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers 24/7 support via professional counselling services for employees, contractors and their families.
Workplace Diversity
We are working to provide a workplace where everyone feels safe to be themselves and where they are acknowledged and celebrated for their strengths as an individual.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all its forms and commit to a year on year increase across our measurable categories of diversity.
In April 2021, the Sustainability Committee endorsed the FY22 Fortescue family diversity plan which embodies our commitment to a workforce that reflects the communities in which we live. Following 62 consultation sessions last year, our diversity areas were expanded to include the following key categories:
- Females
- First Nations Australian people
- Diversity of age
- LGBTQIA+
- Cultural backgrounds
- Differing abilities
Workplace Gender Equality Act report 2022-2023
The aim of gender equality in the workplace is to achieve broadly equal opportunities and outcomes for women and men, not necessarily outcomes that are exactly the same for all. Workplace gender equality will be achieved when people are able to access and enjoy equal rewards, resources and opportunities regardless of gender.
Achieving gender equality is important for workplaces not only because it is ‘fair’ and ‘the right thing to do,’ but because it is also linked to a country’s overall economic performance. Workplace gender equality is associated with:
- Improved national productivity and economic growth
- Increased organisational performance
- Enhanced ability of companies to attract talent and retain employees
- Enhanced organisational reputation.
Fortescue’s 2022-2023 Workplace Gender Equality Act report demonstrates the leading role we continue to take in the important areas of diversity and gender equality. Reflecting on the past 12 months, we can feel proud of our achievements.
The People team continue to engage with team members through group and individual diversity consultation sessions covering a range of topics, including female and Aboriginal employment, age, cultural backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ and differing abilities so we can keep improving and adapting to the needs of our team members. Fortescue promotes diversity initiatives within our business which help us to achieve our goal of having a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.
Fortitude at Fortescue
Fortitude is Fortescue's LGBTQIA+ employee working group. The group aims to generate a more inclusive and supportive workplace for people who identify as LGBTIQA+ and provide a space for LGBTIQA+ team members to support each other, express any concerns they may have, and spend time around people and allies who understand their experiences.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment has no place at Fortescue, in the mining sector, in the workplace or in society. Fortescue has a strong culture that is built on integrity and respect, and we are committed to ensuring we are providing a safe and inclusive work environment.
In May 2021, the Parliament of Western Australia announced the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee Inquiry into Sexual harassment against women in the FIFO mining industry
In June 2021, we commenced our Workplace Integrity Review to hear directly from our Fortescue family on sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour. We wanted to understand what makes our team members feel safe or unsafe while working at a Fortescue workplace and living at a Fortescue village, and where improvements can be made. The Review, which is ongoing, informs our actions to ensure that Fortescue continues to be a safe and inclusive place to work.
