Revised labor law proclaimed to ban workplace bullying

SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- A revision of the Labor Standards Act, which prohibits bullying in the workplace, was proclaimed Tuesday, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said.

The revised law specifically bans bullying from people in more senior positions, the ministry said.

It defines the prohibited workplace bullying as an act by an employer or an employee inflicting physical or mental suffering on other employees beyond the appropriate scope of work by using the advantage of one's position or relationship in the workplace or worsening the work environment.

It is the first time that workplace bullying has been stipulated in the law and prohibited accordingly.

The ministry said the act of bullying won't be directly punished by the revised law.

Instead, domestic workplaces can autonomously prevent bullying through the new employment rules.

The proclaimed revised law will take effect July 16. All workplaces have to prepare new employment rules that contain measures to prevent bullying before then.

Employers are obliged to clarify measures to prevent and cope with bullying in the rules of employment and report them to the local labor authorities. Violators will be punished with a fine of less than 5 million won (US$4,460).

Under the revised law, any employee can report bullying to the employer, who has to immediately launch investigations and take disciplinary measures against bullies. Any employer who disadvantages bullying victims will be fined a maximum 30 million won.

ycm@yna.co.kr
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