TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New workplace bullying prevention regulations will take effect in Taiwan on July 1.
The Ministry of Labor recently revised the Occupational Safety and Health Act to include provisions on workplace bullying prevention, per CNA. On Tuesday, it outlined the criteria for identifying workplace bullying and employers' responsibilities under the new rules.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration official Peng Feng-mei (彭鳳美) said employers must implement preventive measures based on their organization's size, according to CNA. Businesses with at least 10 employees must establish complaint channels, while those with 30 or more must adopt prevention measures and establish a complaint-handling unit.
Companies are required to respond when they become aware of alleged workplace bullying and investigate complaints. Workers who disagree with the outcome may also appeal the decision.
The administration’s Director-General Lin Yu-tang (林毓堂) said the labor ministry has released a guidance manual to help businesses comply with the new rules, CNA reported. It also launched a workplace bullying investigator database expected to include 2,000 professionals by the end of the year.
Lin said the ministry has conducted training sessions since April and developed online learning materials. Beginning in July, it will work with local governments and labor inspection agencies to implement the program.
The ministry defined bullying as occurring in the course of work and involving the misuse of authority. Furthermore, it exceeded reasonable business needs, and caused physical or mental harm. The conduct would also include inappropriate behavior such as offensive remarks, threats, or exclusion.
