WorkSafe WA issued the notice to Talison Lithium in August following a psychosocial survey that identified excessive work demands, inadequate resourcing and poor work conditions as factors causing significant harm to staff. Reported issues included inadequate toilet facilities and working areas contaminated by animal faeces.
Current and former staff described a toxic workplace culture. One worker, speaking anonymously due to the risk to their ongoing employment, said they felt morally distressed and raised concerns about the independence of Talison's internal complaints process. "Employees go externally when they feel they've exhausted everything internally," the worker said, adding, "I started to realise that I was at burnout." Workers also reported tiredness, anxiety, low mood, depression, hopelessness and feelings of worthlessness.
Greenbushes provides about 20 per cent of the world's lithium, which is considered crucial for the global energy transition.
In an email to staff seen by the ABC, chief executive Rob Telford apologised to workers whose experience had fallen short of expectations. "Let me be clear, any behaviour that undermines this, including bullying, aggression, intimidation, and any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise, has absolutely no place at Talison," Mr Telford wrote.
WorkSafe has ordered Talison to complete a review of measures to manage psychosocial hazards and consult with workers by November 20. The review must consider job demands, worker control, role clarity, organisational change, consultation, leadership behaviours, reporting arrangements and workplace conditions.
A Talison spokesperson said work on improving workplace culture had begun before the notice was issued. "Improvements have been implemented across a number of areas including clearer expectations for respectful workplace behaviour, increased team capacity, stronger systems and a sitewide program to improve facilities," the spokesperson said. "Further work is planned, leveraging work that others in the industry have successfully trialled, but we have prioritised initiatives to support improving the felt experience of our workforce."