Taiwan Health Ministry Officials Found to Have Engaged in Workplace Bullying, Consequences Announced
The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has confirmed that three of its officials were found to have engaged in workplace bullying, following an investigation into multiple suspected cases. The findings were disclosed by Deputy Minister Lue Jen-der (呂建德) on Thursday, detailing the outcomes of a months-long probe conducted by an internal task force.
The investigation, which examined eight alleged incidents of workplace bullying, involved interviews with approximately 100 employees, both current and former, as well as the accused individuals. The results of the probe revealed that three officials had indeed engaged in inappropriate conduct, which included verbal abuse and misuse of authority.
Details of the Workplace Bullying Cases
The task force found that the officials involved had violated the Ministry’s policies, particularly through actions such as shouting at subordinates, arbitrary rejection of work submissions, and other forms of intimidation. These actions were deemed an abuse of power, resulting in physical and emotional stress for the victims.
The three officials found guilty of bullying include:
- Lin (林), a senior inspector at the Department of Protective Services,
- Wang (王), a senior specialist at the Department of Long-Term Care,
- Wang (王), a senior inspector at the Department of Social Assistance and Social Work.
Each of the accused officials faced consequences for their actions. Lin and the Long-Term Care department’s Wang received a major demerit and were removed from their positions. Lin will also be referred to the Disciplinary Court for further actions regarding the misconduct. Wang from the Social Assistance and Social Work Department received a minor demerit.
Other Punishments and Preventive Measures
In addition to the three primary offenders, three other MOHW officials, including Secretary General Liu Yu-chuan (劉玉娟) and Department heads Chu Chien-fang (祝健芳) and Su Chao-ju (蘇昭如), were found to have either failed to prevent bullying or made inappropriate remarks. These officials were given punishments ranging from minor demerits to reprimands.
The investigation was conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Protection Act and guidelines from the Executive Yuan’s Directorate-General of Personnel Administration. As part of the ongoing efforts to tackle workplace harassment, the MOHW will now implement a series of reforms.
Steps for Improvement and Prevention
Deputy Minister Lue stated that the ministry would be reviewing staffing levels and workload distribution to ensure a more balanced and supportive work environment. Additionally, MOHW will provide training to enhance people management skills among supervisors, with an emphasis on improving communication between colleagues of all ages.
This initiative is part of the government’s wider effort to combat workplace bullying, which gained renewed attention after the tragic suicide of a Ministry of Labor employee last month, which was linked to bullying.
Table: Consequences of Workplace Bullying at the Ministry of Health and Welfare
| Official | Department | Punishment | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lin (林) | Department of Protective Services | Major demerit, removed from position | Referred to Disciplinary Court |
| Wang (王) | Department of Long-Term Care | Major demerit, removed from position | |
| Wang (王) | Department of Social Assistance | Minor demerit | |
| Liu Yu-chuan (劉玉娟) | MOHW Secretary General | Minor demerit | Failure to prevent bullying |
| Chu Chien-fang (祝健芳) | Department of Long-Term Care | Reprimand | Inappropriate remarks |
| Su Chao-ju (蘇昭如) | Department of Social Assistance | Reprimand | Inappropriate remarks |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the outcome of the investigation into workplace bullying at the Ministry of Health and Welfare?
Three officials were found guilty of bullying, and they received significant penalties, including demerits and removal from positions. - What kind of behavior was considered bullying in these cases?
Bullying involved actions like shouting at employees, rejecting submitted work arbitrarily, and using intimidation tactics to undermine the staff’s confidence. - What steps will the MOHW take to prevent future bullying?
The ministry plans to review workload distribution, improve people management skills among supervisors, and provide communication training to employees. - Were any officials cleared of wrongdoing?
Yes, two officials—Chen Lian-yu (陳亮妤) and an official from the Legislative Liaison Division—were found not to have engaged in workplace bullying and faced no penalties. - Why has workplace bullying become such a significant issue in Taiwan’s government?
The issue has gained attention following several cases of workplace harassment, including the tragic suicide of a Ministry of Labor employee last month, linked to bullying at work.
