Deputy Minister-Level Personnel at Central Government Agencies Under Investigation for 'Workplace Bullying'
Multiple Employees Raise Complaints... Agency Head Issues 'Verbal Warning'
A deputy minister-level official in a central government ministry has been found to have engaged in 'workplace power harassment' by asking female employees to go for walks or running personal errands. While many ministry employees raised complaints, the deputy minister expressed remorse but defended the actions as "not coercion." The Presidential Office also faced criticism for issuing only a 'verbal warning,' which was seen as a lenient punishment.
On the 18th, KBS reported, "A deputy minister-level official in a central ministry was subject to an investigation by the Presidential Office for workplace power harassment. Despite acts such as ordering personal errands during working hours, only a mild verbal warning was issued, sparking controversy." It was reported that Deputy Minister A asked an employee on duty to "go to the mart and buy batteries" after the door lock battery at his residence died, thus assigning a personal errand. He also suggested to a female employee, "Let's take a walk for about an hour."
Additionally, complaints were filed by employees stating that unmarried female staff were pressured to attend company dinners the day before holidays, and that weekend attendance was forced by ordering employees to "check the status of weekend staff." Deputy Minister A explained, "I asked lightly because I thought we were close, it was not coercion. The weekend attendance checks were stopped after complaints were raised. I reflect on my mistakes and will be more careful."
After receiving reports of 'workplace power harassment,' the Presidential Office issued Deputy Minister A a 'verbal warning from the agency head' rather than disciplinary action. Since the Presidential Office did not request formal disciplinary measures, the case was reportedly not referred to the Central Disciplinary Committee. KBS pointed out, "(The Presidential Office) only interviewed the victims and did not properly investigate Deputy Minister A, which has led to criticism."
Among disciplinary actions for public officials, severe penalties include dismissal, removal, demotion, and suspension, while lighter penalties include salary reduction and reprimand. A non-punitive warning is issued when a disciplinary committee convenes to discuss severe or light penalties but considers various factors and reduces the penalty to a warning; this is recorded and reflected in performance evaluations. A written warning leaves a record indicating it was in writing. A verbal warning does not leave a record but can still affect performance evaluations.
Labor attorney Kang Min-ju told KBS, "Power harassment in the public sector, where hierarchical order is strong, needs to be dealt with strictly," adding, "Since the harassment could escalate to sexual harassment, a more thorough investigation is necessary."
Meanwhile, under the Labor Standards Act, workplace harassment requires conditions such as ▲using superiority in position or relationships at work ▲exceeding the appropriate scope of work ▲causing physical or mental suffering or worsening the work environment. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's 'Workplace Harassment Judgment and Prevention Response Manual,' repeatedly ordering personal errands or tasks related to private daily life may fall under this category.
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