I'm being bullied at work.

What the Law Says

South Korean law explicitly prohibits workplace bullying and places clear responsibilities on employers to prevent and respond to it.

Under the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act, workplace bullying is defined as 'actions by an employer or employee that cause physical or mental suffering to another employee, beyond the scope of legitimate job duties.' This includes verbal abuse, isolation, excessive surveillance, forced overtime, or spreading false rumors.

Employers are legally required to establish internal procedures for reporting, investigating, and resolving bullying complaints. They must complete investigations within 30 days of receiving a report and take appropriate corrective measures.

Failure to comply can result in administrative fines of up to 5 million Korean won. Victims may also file for relief with the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and claims must be filed within one year from the date the bullying ceased.

Statutory Text

Workplace bullying means actions by an employer or employee that cause physical or mental suffering to another employee, beyond the scope of legitimate job duties.

— Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act, Art. 7-2 — Definition of workplace bullying

Statutory Text

An employer shall take necessary measures, such as establishing a system for reporting and handling workplace bullying, to prevent and respond to workplace bullying.

— Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act, Art. 35-2 — Employer’s duty to prevent and respond to workplace bullying

What to Do

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