Compiled based on prompts to ChatGPT on Nov 29, 2025
The table below summarizes notable Australian and New Zealand organizations where serious workplace misconduct (bullying, harassment, discrimination, etc.) was reported in the last decade. For most cases reliable sources are cited on the allegations and note the organization’s public response or corrective actions. It is recommended readers do their own due diligence before quoting any of the cases listed.
| Organization (Year) | Issue / Allegations (Source) | Response / Mitigation (Source) |
| Nine Entertainment (2024) | A company-commissioned review found Nine’s news division had a “systemic issue” of bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment. Over half of staff reported being bullied or harassed at workabc.net.au. | Nine’s board apologized for the toxic culture and committed to a “proactive culture change agenda.” The company pledged to implement the review’s 22 recommendations (including stronger complaint processes) and to develop a long-term diversity and inclusion strategy theguardian.com. |
| Rio Tinto (2022) | An independent review (led by Elizabeth Broderick) of Rio Tinto’s global operations revealed very high rates of bullying, sexual harassment and racism. Almost half of surveyed workers reported being bullied, and many women at remote mine sites reported harassmenttheguardian.com. | CEO Jakob Stausholm publicly apologized for these findings and promised to implement all of the 26 recommendations. He said the company would work to change the culture and “become the kind of company we want to be” theguardian.com. |
| Fortescue Metals Group (2023) | Western Australia’s regulator charged FMG for refusing to produce documents related to alleged sexual harassment at its mines. (WorkSafe accused FMG of not cooperating with an investigation of harassment incidents on its sitesabc.net.au.) | FMG entered an enforceable undertaking (avoiding prosecution) and agreed to invest heavily in training and culture. It committed to spend A$1.4 million improving contractor education and workplace culture, well above any expected fine abc.net.au. WorkSafe will monitor implementation. |
| Australian National University (ANU) (2025) | An ANU council member testified in a Senate inquiry that Chancellor Julie Bishop and others had treated colleagues and staff with “threats, intimidation and bullying”abc.net.au. The accuser said the behavior was hostile and impacted her health. | Bishop denied the allegations, saying she always treated staff “with respect, courtesy and civility” abc.net.au. ANU issued a statement that a formal grievance process is underway and insisted it would ensure a fair, impartial investigation abc.net.au. |
| BHP (2022) | A former BHP employee who reported on-site bullying described the company’s complaint process as “flawed” and failing victimsabc.net.au. Industry reports around this time also highlighted widespread harassment and assault at mine sites. | BHP said it “does not tolerate any form of … harassment or bullying” and has been taking steps to address itabc.net.au. In recent years the company ended confidentiality agreements in harassment settlements, limited alcohol at work camps, linked executive bonuses to safety targets, and commissioned independent cultural reviewsabc.net.auabc.net.au. |
| Ballarat City Council (2021) | A municipal inquiry found multiple staff engaged in mismanagement and harassment. Confidential interviews uncovered “inappropriate harassment or bullying of staff,” along with procurement irregularitiesabc.net.au. Several council members and staff were implicated. | The interim CEO publicly apologized to citizens and confirmed that several staff had been terminated following independent investigationsabc.net.au. The council overhauled its procurement and governance policies (strict new approval procedures and leadership changes) to prevent recurrenceabc.net.au. |
| Channel 7 (Seven West Media) (2024) | A Four Corners exposé reported a “degrading, soul-crushing” workplace at Channel Seven. Current and former staff spoke of pervasive sexism, bullying and harassment – including women hospitalised and one colleague attempting suicideabc.net.au. | Seven’s management said it is undertaking a “reset” of its workplace culture. A network statement announced that individuals whose behavior “was not reflective of Seven’s values” have been removed from the organizationabc.net.auabc.net.au. (Seven declined to discuss individual cases.) |
| Country Road Group (Woolworths) (2024) | An internal review was launched after reports that the company mishandled team members’ sexual harassment complaints. It followed media reports of staff feeling unsupported when raising inappropriate behaviorragtrader.com.au. | Woolworths (Country Road’s parent) commissioned an independent review of harassment policies. CEO Roy Bagattini reiterated a “zero tolerance” stance and announced new measures: overhauling the complaints process, launching updated harassment training, and improving reporting mechanismsragtrader.com.auragtrader.com.au. |
| Organization | Year(s) | Misconduct Type(s) | Summary | Response / Reforms |
| Ernst & Young (EY) | 2022 | Bullying, racism | EY auditor Aishwarya Venkatachalam (an Indian national) died by suicide after complaining of bullying and racial harassment at work. | EY commissioned former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick to investigate the firm’s culture after the incident. |
| NSW Department of Health | 2018–2021 | Racism, harassment | Aboriginal nurse Jacqueline Stewart reported repeated racial abuse (colleague painting her face black, derogatory slurs) and harassment at NSW Health. | NSW Health stated it took allegations seriously, conducted investigations and took action. The Department apologized, offered Stewart a settlement and pledged cultural improvements. |
| Monash Health (Monash Medical Centre) | 2011–2015 | Bullying (medical training) | A neurosurgery trainee alleged Dr Helen Maroulis subjected her to constant verbal abuse and intimidation. A Neurosurgery board found this bullying “so serious” it nearly revoked Monash’s training accreditation. | Monash Health apologized to the trainee. Under Board conditions, Monash implemented new reporting procedures and grievance processes to prevent future abuses. Accreditation was retained only after Maroulis’s departure and Monash’s assurances of reforms. |
| Australian Border Force (ABF) | 2023–2024 | Bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination | Human Rights Commission reports found “alarming” levels of sexual harassment, gender discrimination and bullying in parts of the ABF. | ABF leadership publicly apologized for failing to prevent misconduct, pledging to foster a “safe, inclusive, empowered” workplace. A senior executive email reiterated that harassment or discrimination “will not be tolerated under any circumstances”. |
| BHP & Rio Tinto | 2024 | Sexual harassment, assault, gender discrimination | Australian law firm filed class actions alleging “widespread, systemic” sexual harassment and gender discrimination of female workers at mining sites (including unwanted touching, rape and pregnancy bias). | Both companies issued statements that they “do not tolerate” sexual harassment and are committed to safe, respectful workplaces. They encouraged reporting through internal channels and independent hotlines. |
| Hospitality/Retail Sector (migrant workers) | 2024 | Sexual harassment | Unions NSW reported “more than half of migrant women have been sexually harassed at work”, often by bosses or customers. Many were told it was just a “cultural” issue. | Unions recommended creating independent migrant-worker support centers in each state and reforms to visa/work rules to protect vulnerable workers. (Employers’ responses were not detailed in the report.) |
| Australian Legal Profession | 2023 | Bullying | Industry survey found bullying rampant: 73% of female lawyers and 50% of male lawyers reported being bullied in connection with their work. | Law societies and firms have acknowledged the issue and urged senior lawyers to address bullying. New WHS regulations and anti-bullying laws exist, but many legal workplaces still struggle with entrenched cultures and slow change. |
| NSW Public Schools (Dept. of Education) | 2018 | Bullying | Teachers alleged the Department’s disciplinary process was “designed to break you,” claiming management systematically harassed staff and silenced complaints. | The Department made no public statement on the allegations. Teachers’ unions and advocates have since called for better protections and whistleblower safeguards for educators. |
| Metcash (retail supply group) | 2025 | Bullying | Two former finance executives claimed Metcash’s South African CFO bullied them and fostered a hostile climate during a bonus dispute. They said they were abruptly “sacked on the spot” after complaining. | Metcash denied the allegations as “without merit,” stating the executives were lawfully terminated for misconduct. The company said it has met all workplace obligations and would defend the claims at Fair Work proceedings. |
| Country Road Group (Woolworths-owned) | 2023–2024 | Sexual harassment, bullying | Staff at fashion retailer Country Road alleged sexual harassment and bullying by senior executives. Complaints were raised internally but not adequately addressed. | Woolworths Holdings (owner) launched an independent review into the allegations. Country Road stated zero tolerance for harassment and committed to an investigation. CEO Roy Bagattini flew to Melbourne to hear staff concerns and promised to share outcomes when the review concludes. |
| TEG Pty Ltd (Ticketek owner) | 2025 | Bullying, harassment | Former employees accused live-entertainment promoter TEG (owner of Ticketek) of a “toxic” workplace: managers would publicly humiliate and overwork staff (e.g. aggressive late-night messages, public critiques). | TEG issued a statement saying “there is no place for bullying,” reaffirming that it has formal processes (including external investigation) to handle complaints. It promised to thoroughly investigate all allegations and maintain an open-door policy for staff. |
| Lynch Group (flower supplier) | 2013–2017 | Bullying, exploitation | Ex-warehouse workers at Lynch Group (major flower supplier to Coles/Woolworths/Aldi) described “sweatshop” conditions: staff (mostly migrant) endured racial slurs, verbal abuse and intimidation, especially during busy seasons. | Lynch Group released a statement claiming “zero tolerance” for bullying and saying it prides itself on a positive workplace culture. Major retailers Woolworths and Aldi (its customers) said they would investigate the supplier under their ethical sourcing policies. |
