Gyeongnam Province's Plan to Prevent Recurrence of Workplace Bullying

Efforts to Create a Workplace Where Emotions and Dignity Are Respected and Happiness Is Achieved

Workplace Bullying Reporting Center at Gyeongnam Provincial Government Office

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Gyeongsangnam-do announced on the 10th that it will actively implement the '2021 Gyeongsangnam-do Emotion Respect and Happy Workplace Creation Promotion Plan' to prevent workplace harassment so that public officials can work freely in a safe working environment.

The province will operate anonymous chat rooms by rank starting in May to improve improper practices within the organization and foster a culture of mutual respect.

In addition, in October, a play tailored to the province’s circumstances will be produced and performed to create an atmosphere for spreading a culture of respect.

Furthermore, the 11th of every month will be designated as 'Emotion Respect Day' to carry out campaigns, symbolizing the meaning of 'mutual respect and consideration as equals' (1=1).

In May, a declaration ceremony to prohibit harassment will be held jointly with the public officials’ labor union to realize an emotion-respecting workplace.

Comprehensive harassment prevention education will be conducted to raise awareness of workplace harassment.

In particular, customized education by rank distinguishing managerial and general positions will be provided, along with mobile education visiting affiliated institutions and business offices.

To help employees understand, a regular publication compiling harassment experience cases in the form of essays will be produced and posted.

In November, a survey will be conducted to diagnose workplace harassment within the organization and identify changes.

The 'Harassment Reporting Center,' a dedicated channel for harassment cases, will also be expanded. The reporting center has a system where reporting, counseling, and protection are conducted at once.

Previously, there were internal work system bulletin boards and offline channels, but this year, a mobile reporting center will be established to improve accessibility and convenience for employees.

To protect victims, the scope of applying a simplified investigation method that verifies facts with a minimum number of related persons will be expanded. Emotion respect working meetings to ensure fairness of investigations will also be expanded and strengthened.

Sanctions against harassment perpetrators will be strengthened, applying strict disciplinary standards.

If the perpetrator’s allegations are confirmed, strong personnel measures will be taken step-by-step, including suspension from duty, removal from position upon request for severe discipline, and reflection in work performance.

In addition to sanctions against perpetrators, efforts will be made to protect and support the recovery of victims.

Psychological counseling program support for employees, currently in operation, will be made mandatory for all victims and related parties.

Legal support will be provided in collaboration with relevant departments and the public officials’ labor union, and monitoring will be strengthened to check for secondary damage and recovery status.

Meanwhile, the province reinforced dedicated personnel related to harassment prevention in January last year. A provincial official stated, "Since the enactment of the 'Gyeongsangnam-do Workplace Harassment Eradication and Victim Support Ordinance' in February, we have been steadily working to eradicate harassment by establishing workplace harassment prevention and response guidelines and producing and distributing manuals."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.