These days, bullying in the workplace, known as “workplace harassment,” has become a serious issue in Korea. As it is among the most significant social issues, people pay close attention to bullying problems because they or those close to them could experience it. Therefore, they want to prevent it or prepare for the possibility of its occurrence. Nonetheless, these issues are commonly observed in the workplace, even at major, socially influential companies.

On February 21, 2021, a suicide note was uploaded on Blind, an anonymous online community for workers, that revealed workplace harassment. Though the community is managed anonymously, users must certify their employment in order to sign up. In other words, all information other than their workplace is concealed. According to the posting, the user who uploaded the suicide note was an employee of KaKao Company, which is one of the biggest and most powerful companies in Korea. The posting brought about national controversial issues about workplace harassment and additional exposure of other KaKao Company workers as well as intense frustration for many job applicants, including job applicants who desire to work for KaKao Company. Most university students will be part of the social group among which they work. If the workplace harassment problem continues, students who seek such a job and other newcomers will not be free due to a fear of bullying. Further, it can lead to fear of getting a job.

Workplace harassment and its meeting requirements

On January 15, 2019, Korea amended its act on the improvement of employment in regard to dealing with workplace harassment. The act defines workplace harassment as “an act of causing physical and mental distress or aggravating the working environment of other workers beyond the appropriate scope of work by using the superiority of one’s position or relationship in the workplace.” According to the law, “using advantages such as one’s position or relationship at work, the user or employee should be the one who performs bullying to other workers, exceeding the appropriate scope of business and causing physical and mental distress or worsening working conditions” would meet its requirements.

Examples

Below are examples of specific workplace harassment situations:

1. Acknowledge or mock work performance without justifiable reasons.

2. Forced to participate in drinking, smoking, or company dinners.

3. Excessively monitor only certain workers in regard to whether they are working or resting.

4. Spreading gossip about personal affairs.

Reconfiguring an interview

Even things that seem trivial can lead to serious work problems and directly affect workflow. The UOS Times wanted to look into the issue as it relates to university students, and, to that end, interviewed two people: a university student and an office worker. The UOS Times reconfigures interview depending on interviewees’ responses as if they are having an actual conversation.

Student A: Hi, I am Student A preparing for job employment. As time passes, getting a job is getting much more difficult. Many university students graduate every year, and the job market is getting worse. I think it’s becoming an ability competition. However, if a person gets a job, it doesn’t end with that. They have to adjust to their workplace culture. In the process, some will do well, but some will not. I am afraid that I won’t be accepted by the group and will be bullied after all of the hard work of winning a job. Not just me; it is quite a common issue among graduate university students worrying about being bullied in the workplace.

Office worker: Hi, I am an office worker and I have worked for over 20 years. I understand your worries because I was the same 20 years ago. First of all, however, I want to say you don’t have to be overly concerned about workplace harassment. The field is changing. The law supports employees; therefore, managers try to ensure that problems do not happen.

Student A: Though the fields are changing, I think I can’t handle it if it happens to me. It is not school, and no barrier is around me. If it happened in school, I can just punch him in the face and get punished. However, the workplace is where I get paid. If trouble happens, I might lose my job and be kicked out on the street. The result will remain on record, and it would be harder to get another job. It gets more difficult to change the environment. That is why I think workplace harassment is worse than bullying because it comes from superior powers that one can’t easily resist.

Office worker: I agree. I saw workplace harassment many years ago. He was well educated and outstanding but was bullied for no reason. In this case, I recommend reporting it to the boss without delay. It is the first thing to do if you are bullied. There are other ways to fight back. One is to build up your work skills to a level that nobody can argue with. Your work skills will protect you from groups that hate you. If they do not all hate you, start to draw them one by one to your side. Make them need you. If the company size is small and everyone hates you, you don’t have to stay there anymore. However, I understand how it is hard to just say “goodbye” and walk out. The smaller the size of the company is, the harder it is to resist. I think the government should prepare a legal net much tighter for those who work for a small company.

Student A: Thanks for your advice. Also, I take care to skip companies that have bad comments by searching them on a job searching site. There are rating systems, comments, and reviews showing recognition of the company by the employees on the job market. I also go to a job fair to get information. However, a job searching site and a job fair have limitations. They don’t tell us the real work environment of [the company]. Like in KaKao Company’s case, they can influence job search sites to get rid of bad reviews on the page, leaving only good reviews. In my opinion, there are not many changes following the amendment of the law. I think it is time to change in real life, not suppress the media and make them talk like it is changing.

Office worker: Well, it is actually changing. As mentioned above, bosses are being very careful in what they say, and workers are trained essentially and regularly over and over. As time goes by, there are unique cultures that new generations have. Companies also have their own culture. It is impossible to avoid collisions between older generations in the company and younger generations among job applicants. I think they must understand and try to see the viewpoint of each side. Take one step back and take a deep breath, try not to be selfish, and be humble. It will make the company culture more flexible. Don’t be too worried.

Conclusion

Creating a law related to workplace harassment is a positive sign of change. However, the results should be as effective as the purpose of the legislation. According to the survey held by the National Human Rights Commission, 7 out of 10 workers have experienced workplace harassment, but 4 out of 10 workers did not even know that a related law exists. It is necessary to actively promote the law and encourage workers to use it freely. Further, the government should fill the loophole in the law, such as issues in small companies (in Korea, only companies that have more than 5 workers can report workplace harassment), indirect exclusion from work, and challenges in punishing users who have not complied with the measure. Small changes will lead to big changes. The improvement of the working environment is important not only for university students who are looking for a job but also to make for a fairer and more honorable society.