A female KiwiRail worker says she was sexually assaulted in 2011 by a male colleague, who stuck his hand under her dress and touched her private parts. Although the woman had told her manager at the time of the incident, that supervisor failed to take action, KiwiRail acknowledges. The victim then decided not to press further.
This year, when the woman's manager left the rail company, unrelated to the alleged assault, she confided in her new manager, who encouraged her to file a formal complaint. KiwiRail also admits to failing the alleged victim. The alleged attacker was fired after an investigation.
In the last several years, KiwiRail has launched a number of workplace initiatives, including a 24/7 "speak up hotline."
"We've invested hugely in a culture of empowerment in our workforce which we believe has given people the courage to speak up," the company notes.