The government will take concentrated reports to root out workplace bullying, including so-called "taeum," that occurs among nurses in hospitals. Inadequate responses by medical institutions to victims and any disadvantageous treatment after a report are also subject to reporting.
The Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission said it will run a one-month concentrated reporting period on workplace bullying at medical institutions from the 10th to on Feb. 9.
This reporting covers workplace bullying that occurs at medical institutions, as well as cases where the institution failed to take appropriate measures even after the victimized worker sought help. It also includes cases where the person who reported the bullying or the victimized worker faced disadvantageous treatment such as dismissal or disciplinary action.
Acts that violate the code of conduct, such as issuing unreasonable instructions or demands unrelated to duties at medical institutions that fall under public institutions under the anti-corruption law, including public medical institutions, can also be reported.
Reports can be filed through the Integrity Portal, the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC)'s corruption and public-interest reporting channel, or by visiting the commission in person or by mail. Counseling for reporting is available by dialing 1398 or 110 without an area code.
Protections for informants will also be strengthened. The identity of the informant will be strictly protected, and if they suffer disadvantages such as dismissal or disciplinary action after reporting, they can receive protective measures such as reinstatement or personal protection. The "non-real-name proxy reporting" system, which allows reporting through a lawyer without revealing one's identity, is also available.
The Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) will also move to provide education to prevent taeum as it receives reports. Its National Integrity Education Center will visit hospitals at all levels and nursing colleges to educate current and prospective nurses on preventing workplace bullying and how to respond if harm occurs.
Jeong Il-yeon, chair of the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, said, "We will do our utmost both to uncover problems through increased reporting and to prevent them through education so that tragedies like taeum no longer occur in medical settings where lives are saved."