Seongdong-gu Protects Against Malicious Complaints to Create a Workplace of Mutual Respect

Mutual Respect Notice Created to Foster Empathy Between Employees and Complainants
Introduction of Portable Protective Equipment Against Malicious Complaints, Psychological Counseling Support to Create a Safe and Happy Workplace Atmosphere

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) announced that it has produced a ‘Mutual Respect Notice’ to create a safe civil service environment and a workplace of mutual respect, distributing it to civil service contact departments such as the Seongdong-gu Office Happy Civil Service Room and the civil service counters at 17 community centers.

Recently, as expectations for civil service have increased, the number of civil service officials suffering mental and physical harm due to malicious civil complaints involving verbal abuse, shouting, and assault has been rising.

Accordingly, the district has created a notice to protect civil service staff and promote mutual respect between citizens and employees, posting it at major civil service counters to establish a culture of kindness based on respect and consideration.

The notice includes phrases such as “Please respect the staff you are facing with a warm smile and a considerate word” and “The staff you are facing now is someone’s precious family member” to foster a shared understanding of mutual respect.

Malicious complaints such as verbal abuse and assault lead to psychological and mental harm to employees, undermining a healthy organizational culture. Therefore, Seongdong-gu is also implementing more active protection and support measures for civil service officials handling complaints.

In September 2022, the district enacted the ‘Ordinance on the Protection and Support of Civil Service Officials Handling Complaints.’ This ordinance establishes a legal basis for institutional protection by stipulating necessary measures for preventing and healing physical and mental harm caused by verbal abuse or assault from complainants.

Since May of last year, portable protective equipment (wearable cameras) has been introduced and operated in civil service contact departments and all 17 community centers. The necklace-type camcorder can be effectively used if an emergency situation arises during complaint handling.

Joint police simulation drills are also conducted to prepare for emergencies in civil service offices. Through training based on virtual scenarios, the district plans to create a safe working environment free from illegal acts such as verbal abuse and assault by complainants. Practical lectures on response procedures by complaint type will also be held within the year to provide real assistance in the field.

Psychological support is also provided to ensure employees can work in a comfortable and stable atmosphere.

First, measures are taken step-by-step to protect staff from malicious complaints. If a problem arises that is difficult for the staff member to handle alone, the team leader or department head intervenes to resolve the issue according to relevant laws and regulations, and temporary rest periods are granted to employees who need stability during the complaint handling process.

A psychological counseling program is operated for all employees. Anyone who has suffered mental harm from malicious complaints or job stress, as well as any employee who wishes to receive counseling, can access psychological support.

Additionally, since 2022, Seongdong-gu has been promoting ‘Happy Management’ to create a workplace culture that balances work and life harmoniously. Together with the Seongdong-gu branch of the Seoul Regional Headquarters of the Korean Government Employees’ Union, a joint labor-management agreement has been signed to focus on welfare and working environment improvements aimed at fostering a healthy and vibrant organizational culture where work-life balance is achieved.

▲ Creating a healthy and vibrant organizational culture through work-life balance ▲ Continuously promoting Happy Management projects that all employees can equally enjoy ▲ Labor-management agreements to enhance employee satisfaction through diverse and fair welfare projects.

Furthermore, to foster a bright and positive workplace atmosphere, the district operates programs such as ▲ All-staff Kindness and Communication Concert ▲ Employee Compliment Relay ▲ Kindness Quiz Events ▲ Healing Communication Broadcasts, encouraging voluntary kindness practices among employees.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “We are striving to establish a culture of warm consideration and create a workplace of mutual respect,” adding, “We will continue to pursue administrative services that make employees happy and satisfy residents through sincere communication.”

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