The reality of Korean workplace bullying
2023 civic labor survey: 30% of Korean workers experienced workplace bullying in the last year. 60% rate it as "severe". Labor Standards Act §76-2~76-3 in force since July 16, 2019, providing legal definition and protection. Reports rose from 2,130 in 2019 to 11,000+ in 2023 (4×). But perpetrator punishment is <5%. Reasons: ① hard to prove ② company shields perpetrators ③ fear of retaliation.
Labor Standards Act §76-2 — legal definition
"An employer or worker, using superiority of position or relation in the workplace, causes physical or mental suffering to another worker or worsens the work environment beyond the appropriate scope of work". Three elements: ① in the workplace ② superiority (position, numbers, age, etc.) ③ beyond the appropriate scope of work. Verbal / physical abuse is clear. Ostracism, "deliberate info blocking", etc., are also covered (by interpretation).
6 types
① Verbal abuse / insult: cursing, demeaning, personal attacks. Public humiliation in meetings, "idiot" in emails. Clearest type.
② Ostracism / exclusion: deliberately left out of dinners, lunches. Information not shared. No greeting. Treated as "invisible".
③ Unfair / overload tasks: forced to do non-role work. Others' work dumped on you. Volume beyond capacity. Others get half, you get double.
④ Personal errands: boss's personal tasks (booking dinners, picking up kids, wedding prep). Forced during work hours.
⑤ Information / resource blockade: excluded from important meetings, materials withheld, promotion info blocked. "Figure it out yourself".
⑥ Appearance / private life intrusion: "why did you gain weight / why aren't you married / why no kids" — attacks on private domains. Pointing out clothing, hair.
Health impact
- Depression: 4× general workers
- Anxiety: 3×
- Sleep disorder: 5×
- PTSD: 30% in severe cases — eligible for workers' comp
- Suicidal ideation: 2.5×, attempts 1.8×
- Quitting: 50% leave or resign within 1 year
Bullying isn't "personal weakness" — it's an objective health threat.
4-step response — evidence is the key
Step 1 — gather evidence: 90% of reporting success rests on evidence. In Korea, recording a call you yourself are on is legal (Communications Secrecy Protection Act §14). Save messenger (KakaoTalk, Slack) screenshots and emails. Diary — log every incident (date, time, place, content, witness). 6+ months accumulated = strong evidence. At this stage, also get a psychiatric eval — depression / PTSD certificate becomes evidence.
Step 2 — internal company report: §76-3 makes it the company's obligation. Once reported, the company must investigate within 7 days and take action within 90 days. HR, grievance committee, union, ombudsman. Retaliation after reporting (HR disadvantage, dismissal, ostracism) is illegal (§76-3, fine up to ₩30M). Report retaliation as well. If the company doesn't process honestly, go to the next step.
Step 3 — external bodies:
- Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350): labor inspector investigation. Correction orders possible.
- National Human Rights Commission of Korea: human rights investigation. Recommendations (weak enforcement).
- Ministry of Gender Equality (1366): sexual harassment / women-targeted bullying.
- Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service: workers' comp filing (depression, PTSD).
- Korea Legal Aid Corporation (132): free legal counsel.
Step 4 — civil / criminal lawsuit: verbal / physical abuse falls under criminal law (insult, defamation, assault). Damages for mental injury possible. Bring a civic org / labor attorney / lawyer. Costs apply but it's the strongest accountability path.
When you must leave
If no improvement after all steps, switch jobs or resign. Your mental health > the company. But:
- Start PTSD / depression treatment before changing jobs (better next-job adjustment)
- On resignation, mark it "due to workplace bullying" not "voluntary" — enables unemployment benefits
- The career-gap worry is smaller than a mental-health collapse. 6 months ~ 1 year off is fine
Mental health aftercare
① Psychiatry: depression / PTSD diagnosis + meds (SSRI, SNRI) + therapy (CBT, EMDR). 6 months ~ 2 years.
② Workers' comp: depression / PTSD from workplace bullying is compensable. File with Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service. Medical fees, leave benefits, disability. Acceptance rate 30~40% but worth trying.
③ Rebuild social support: 1 year of bullying → friends / family drift away. Restore consciously. Peer-experience groups (e.g., Workplace Gabjil 119 in Korea).
④ Manage workplace-PTSD triggers: similar settings in a new job (big meetings, manager calls) can trigger panic. Graded exposure + meds.
While still on the job with the bully
- Start recording: immediately. Recording calls you're on is legal.
- Neutral response: no anger, no crying — just record. Perpetrators try to label reactive people "emotional".
- Never meet alone: no solo meetings / dinners — bring a witness.
- External-channel logging: messages / emails to outside contacts (time-stamped).
- Deliver 100% of your work: don't give the perpetrator a "performance gap" pretext.
Emergency signs — get care now
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
- 2+ hours of pre-work crying / refusal daily
- 2+ weeks of daily-life paralysis
- Daily alcohol / drug
- Mimicking the perpetrator's verbal abuse to family / friends
1577-0199 or ER. Your health is priority #1. Company / legal process is next. Mental Health Welfare Center / Youth Mental Health Voucher available.
