The 'Law' Has Completely Changed... How to Respond to Workplace Harassment and Customer Verbal Abuse?

KOSHA "Don't Worry Alone"

Health Hazard Prevention Manual Created and Distributed Following 'SanAnBeop' Amendment

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] #1. Mr. A was frequently subjected to verbal abuse by his newly assigned supervisor. Feeling humiliated, he continuously experienced unfair treatment. Physical and mental stress such as anxiety, restlessness, sleep disorders, and indigestion repeated, eventually leading him to receive medical treatment.

#2. Mr. B was a victim of workplace sexual harassment. Although the case was closed after the perpetrator voluntarily resigned while confidentiality was not maintained, rumors spread afterward, causing him to suffer from depression and lethargy symptoms.

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (Director Park Doo-yong) has produced and distributed a manual to prevent the increasing workplace bullying incidents, provide guidance on how to respond when such incidents occur, and establish measures to prevent recurrence.

The number of industrial accident victims related to workplace bullying has steadily increased to 131 over the past three years (2016?2018).

By gender, 77 victims (58.8%) were female; by age, 45 victims (34.6%) were in their 30s; and by length of service, 87 victims (66.4%) had worked between six months and less than five years, indicating a high distribution among these groups.

Among them, 88 victims (67.2%) experienced “reactions to severe stress and adjustment disorders,” and 33 victims (25.2%) suffered from “depressive episodes.”

Reflecting these circumstances, the agency created the “Health Impairment Prevention Manual Due to Workplace Bullying,” which includes definitions of workplace bullying, accident status, response measures when bullying occurs, recurrence prevention strategies, and prevention and management methods.

The manual introduces criteria for judging workplace bullying, relevant laws, and case examples.

It particularly informs that misogynistic behavior, stereotypical gender role enforcement, and sexual harassment can also be considered workplace bullying.

Additionally, it provides roles for workplace stakeholders (employers, workers, organizations), procedures and methods for responding to bullying situations, workplace bullying measurement tools available for use in workplaces, and excellent cases from domestic and international companies.

Following the recent full revision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, workplaces must include “matters related to the prevention and management of health impairments caused by workplace bullying and verbal abuse from customers” in safety and health education courses.

The agency has made the main contents of the manual available on its website* in the form of teaching materials (PPT), booklets, and OPS to facilitate easy education at workplaces.

Park Doo-yong, Director of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, stated, “The most important aspect of resolving workplace bullying incidents is the recovery of the victim’s condition and the establishment of a work environment where personal rights are protected.” He added, “We hope this manual will be actively used as educational material to eradicate workplace bullying, which harms both the body and mind of workers.”

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