Unjustified Uniform Inspections and Evaluations Based on Service Regulations
Judged as Workplace Harassment... Guidance for Improvement
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Regarding the death of a cleaning worker at Seoul National University last month, authorities have found that the cleaning workers were subjected to workplace harassment.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on the 30th that in relation to the death of cleaning worker A at the Seoul National University dormitory, "it was determined that some workplace harassment occurred, and Seoul National University was instructed to make improvements."
The Ministry began an investigation after suspicions of workplace harassment arose following A's death on the 26th of last month. Under the current Labor Standards Act, workplace harassment is prohibited. The Ministry judged that B, the head of the dormitory safety management team at Seoul National University, requiring cleaning workers to take a written test unrelated to their duties constituted workplace harassment.
The Ministry stated, "The written test questions included many items unrelated to cleaning work, and the perpetrator (B) displayed a presentation slide during the test indicating that test scores would be arbitrarily reflected in work evaluations, despite the absence of a work evaluation system."
Regarding B's claim that the test was intended to assess the aptitude needed to interact with foreigners and parents, the Ministry pointed out, "A written test without prior training is difficult to consider an appropriate educational tool."
Considering that B did not notify the cleaning workers in advance about the written test and other factors, the Ministry explained that requiring the cleaning workers to take the test and indicating that the results would affect work evaluations constitutes workplace harassment.
The Ministry also regarded B's inspection and evaluation of the cleaning workers' attire as workplace harassment.
The Ministry stated, "The perpetrator requested workers to attend the second work meeting dressed according to a 'dress code' and to wear their off-duty clothes to the third work meeting, and during the meeting, the perpetrator applauded and evaluated the attire of some workers."
It added, "Interfering with and evaluating meeting attire without any basis in work regulations constitutes workplace harassment."
The Ministry notified Seoul National University of the investigation results and instructed immediate improvements regarding the written test and other workplace harassment issues involving cleaning workers, as well as measures to prevent recurrence.
Additionally, Seoul National University was directed to take "necessary measures" against B and to conduct special workplace harassment prevention education for all employees on campus.
The Ministry stated, "If the improvement instructions are not implemented, Seoul National University will be subject to strict measures, including being included in labor supervision targets."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
