Fashion retailer Country Road will soon learn the findings of an independent review into staff allegations of sexual harassment and bullying against some executives.
Country Road Group confirmed its South African owners, Woolworths Holdings Limited, had commissioned the review after team members complained about how their reports of misconduct were handled.
“The Country Road Group takes any complaint of harassment, including sexual harassment, very seriously and has a zero-tolerance policy for matters of this nature,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
“It is critically important to us that our workplace is one where all team members feel safe, valued and included.
“We sincerely thank team members for speaking up and raising their concerns.”
Country Road Group said the investigation is in its final stages and outcomes will be shared with team members in June.
“In the interim, we strongly encourage all parties to avoid speculation on outcomes prior to the completion of the independent investigation,” the spokesperson added.
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Some staff have reportedly been outraged by both the alleged behaviour by some executives and that their complaints weren’t listened to or addressed, The Australian has reported, citing internal documents.
The newspaper reported Woolworths Holdings chief executive Roy Bagattini had flown to the retailer’s headquarters in Melbourne in March to hear the complaints in an emotional staff meeting.
Country Road Group, which has operations in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, is a subsidiary of South African company Woolworths Holdings Limited.
Its brands include Country Road, Mimco, Trenery, Politix and Witchery.