- Third-party review recommended by Western Power board and CEO
- Culture review to be led by Kate Jenkins and Natasha de Silva at Intersection
- Review to commence in September with findings to be made public early next year
- Part of the Cook Labor Government’s efforts to support safer, inclusive communities
Western Power will be the subject of an independent third-party review to examine workplace culture and safety across its business, one of the largest Government Trading Entities in Western Australia.
Recently appointed CEO Gair Landsborough recommended the review, with Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson and the Western Power Board deciding to proceed immediately.
In the wake of recent media attention, current and former Western Power employees have come forward raising concerns about systemic safety and culture issues over an extended period of time.
With the ongoing investigation by MinterEllison focused on character evidence from individual employees, Mr Landsborough determined that concerns raised by staff deserved a broader investigation run by independent and suitably qualified professionals.
Ms Jenkins, a former Sex Discrimination Commissioner who led the 2021 Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, will co-lead the review alongside Natasha de Silva, founder and principal at specialist workplace culture firm Intersection.
The review will include an extensive information gathering process with the organisation’s more than 3,000 employees engaged for voluntary and confidential feedback through interviews, surveys and focus group sessions. Close consideration will be given to regional staff, who will be given the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the process.
Intersection will independently investigate complaints of inappropriate workplace behaviour concurrently with the review, with disclosures managed in line with trauma-informed practice. It will also quality assure Western Power’s internal complaints and investigation processes.
The review is expected to begin in September and run for approximately six months, with its findings to be made public early next year.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
“Over the past two weeks, we’ve received further information about misconduct, bullying and systemic cultural problems at Western Power.
“As a State-owned utility, I expect the highest standard of Western Power when it comes to ensuring workers are safe and respected. It is clear this standard has not been met.
“This review is a line in the sand. It is the beginning of a process that will deliver real change for the Western Power workforce into the future.”
Comments attributed to Western Power CEO Gair Landsborough:
“Every person at Western Power deserves to feel safe, respected and included at work.
“Events over the past two weeks have led to Western Power staff sharing experiences that are not aligned to the expectations of our workplace.
“Cultural reform is my priority and I recommended a comprehensive and independent review to the Minister.
“We need to identify what’s working well and where we can improve and the Intersection review will provide insights and recommendations based on employees’ lived experience to help drive meaningful and sustainable change.”
