Global real estate powerhouse CBRE is investigating allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate workplace relationships as scrutiny intensifies over corporate culture within Australia’s commercial property sector. As reported by The Australian Financial Review, an internal complaint was made regarding a senior CBRE employee allegedly harassing a colleague during a company event earlier this year, with multiple witnesses reportedly coming forward. The incident has since been escalated to CBRE’s global trust and investigations team.
In response, a CBRE spokesperson said the company is “aware of allegations that have been made” and emphasized that the matters are being handled according to the firm’s standard procedures. “When allegations of significant misconduct are received, they are investigated by our trust team, which reports up to the global general counsel rather than any business segment,” the spokesperson said, adding that disciplinary action is taken when misconduct is substantiated.
The complaint also cites concerns over senior managers allegedly engaging in inappropriate relationships with subordinates, prompting further criticism over accountability and workplace standards within the organization.
The controversy comes amid a broader wave of workplace disputes and legal action across Australia’s major real estate firms. Rival property group JLL has faced similar challenges, with its own leadership transitions following the handling of misconduct allegations.
Industry observers say these developments underscore the urgent need for strengthened workplace governance, transparency, and accountability within the commercial property sector. As leading global firms like CBRE and JLL navigate heightened scrutiny, the way they address such allegations will play a defining role in shaping trust, employee culture, and ethical standards across the broader real estate industry.
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