Alibaba Introduces New Workplace Measures to Respond to Sexual Assault Allegations

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After Alibaba announced earlier this week that it was suspending its staff for being implicated in allegations of sexual assault against another colleague, the company on Thursday introduced various measures aimed at improving the work culture.

The new measures were announced to staff in a memo before being made public shortly thereafter.

“Over the past few days, we have worked diligently. After careful consideration and intense discussions, we have decided to implement a series of actions to prevent sexual harassment and assault. These actions have incorporated the comments. on our intranet, the notes received in our open mailbox and the discussions in various DingTalk newsgroups, “Alibaba wrote in the memo.

New measures include the creation of a workplace environment committee aimed at preventing sexual harassment, the revision of various guidelines and policies of the code of conduct, training on sexual harassment, the creation of a ” a safe space group and the creation of a legal advice and support hotline.

The workplace environment committee will appoint an independent team to investigate all complaints and reports related to sexual harassment and assault, Alibaba said.

The changes come after one of Alibaba’s employees reported being sexually assaulted while on a business trip.

The alleged victim posted an 11-page PDF online detailing that she was sexually assaulted by a customer while on a business trip, according to Nikkei. The PDF circulated a lot on Weibo, according to the report.

Chinese police are still investigating the case, but the employee who brought the alleged victim on the business trip has been fired and two Alibaba executives who have ignored the allegations have resigned since the incident was revealed.

In a New York Times report, various sources allegedly said sexual harassment and forced consumption were rampant in China’s tech industry, adding that new hires were needed to answer deeply personal sexual questions in front of co-workers.

“Alibaba Group has a zero tolerance policy against sexual misconduct, and ensuring a safe workplace for all of our employees is Alibaba’s top priority,” said an Alibaba spokesperson when addressing the issue. first time sexual assault allegations.

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