[Interview] Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, "Committed to Staff Protection and Welfare"

Preventing Personal Attacks by Removing Names from Employee Seating Charts
Department Heads Take Responsibility, Leading Employee Protection
Autonomous Lodging Expenses, Employee Lounges, Special Promotion System

"It seems that a workplace atmosphere where employees can work safely is being established," "Safety devices are gradually increasing," "Although the workload has increased, compensation has definitely improved," "Welfare benefits have also increased."

These are the words of employees of Gwangjin-gu.

Amid recent incidents of public officials losing their lives, Gwangjin-gu has attracted attention by preparing measures for employee protection and welfare.

Kim Kyung-ho, the head of Gwangjin-gu Office, has always been interested in improving workplace culture. Kim said, "I believe that the happiness of employees leads directly to the happiness of the residents," and added, "Since taking office, I have continuously worked to protect employees and improve their treatment." Various measures have been prepared to create a good workplace, especially significantly improving the treatment of younger employees.

They responded promptly to employee protection. Since January, photos, ranks, and names have been removed from the seating charts of each department. This was a proactive response to issues such as malicious complaints that could harass employees through doxxing or personal information disclosure. Although this causes some inconvenience to complainants, the priority is employee protection.

Recently, a comprehensive plan for managing malicious complaints was established. The institution has actively taken steps to protect employees. First, a department head responsibility system was implemented. Experienced and skilled team leaders and managers actively respond to malicious complaints to separate the responsible employees from the complainants. Repeated complaints without justifiable reasons are closed to prevent administrative waste. A communication channel called the "Complaint Sandbag" is operated to share strategies for dealing with malicious complaints and to relieve stress. Portable protective equipment totaling 73 units has been provided to complaint departments and community service centers to create a safe workplace. A Malicious Complaint Task Force (TF) team is operated to strengthen legal responses, provide psychological counseling and medical expense support, and assist in damage relief.

Efforts were also made to boost morale. The important duty allowance system and special promotion system, first implemented last year, were continued. The important duty allowance is a system that pays allowances based on the importance and difficulty of the duties performed. Last year, 55 employees were selected and received a monthly allowance of 100,000 KRW. Seven employees who made significant contributions to the district's administrative development through proactive complaint handling were granted special promotions with an additional salary step. Flexible staffing adjustments, reducing the number of grade 9 positions and increasing grade 8 positions to encourage faster promotions, received positive responses from new employees.

New welfare policies were also introduced. A representative example is the self-directed accommodation support, launched for the first time this year. Employees can freely use any lodging facility they wish and submit receipts afterward. Support is provided for up to two nights. An exclusive rest area for employees was also created. To reduce stress during work and improve work efficiency, amenities such as massage chairs, coffee machines, and bookshelves were installed in the district office. A new marriage congratulatory point system was introduced, providing welfare points to employees who get married.

Improvements were made in practical ways, such as differentiated support for comprehensive health checkup costs, increased support for employee vaccination fees, increased activity support funds for workplace clubs, and psychological counseling cost support for employees affected by malicious complaints. Additionally, various systems are in place, including awards for outstanding performers, "Sotong Sotok Mentoring," a communication session between senior and new employees to help adaptation, operation of recreational facilities for physical and mental recovery, and "Birthday Celebration Day" to celebrate employees' birthdays.

Kim Kyung-ho, the head of the district office, said, "Recently, there have been unfortunate news in the public service due to malicious complaints. A safe workplace is a natural right that employees deserve. It is my duty as the district head to firmly respond to malicious complaints and protect employees," and added, "With the mindset that 'the happiness of employees is my happiness,' I will continuously communicate to create a safe workplace where employees can work happily until the end of my term."