Addressing bullying
A series of allegations of workplace bullying at government agencies has aroused public concerns. Whatever the result of the administrative investigations, public service ethics have been compromised. It is time to review work procedures in the public sector.
Working under immense pressure, some civil servants take on heavy responsibilities, which can lead to regrettable incidents.
Some people quit even though their job is a so-called “iron rice bowl,” or secure employment. This is why turnover has risen in recent years.
Some people work half-heartedly, then forge work records and are held liable. Some people take their frustrations out on their coworkers and subordinates, which is why there has been a series of bullying allegations.
The administrative sector formulates protocols and regulations to delineate responsibilities and rights, prevent malpractice, pursue consistency, exert internal control and provide a basis for external supervisions implemented by elected officials and watchdogs.
The complexity of the workflow process increases. When the workload is not heavy, standard operating procedures can be implemented step by step, but when workloads are greater, employees might not be able to cope. This can trigger conflicts and lead to overwork. This is why bullying often occurs in “tense workplaces” in government organizations.
After the death of an employee at the Ministry of Labor was linked to alleged bullying by a superior, Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) announced that the government would halt the “5S” movement — sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain — which originated in Japan.
The announcement prompted extensive discussion. The idea itself is not a problem, as it has positive effects from a managerial viewpoint. The government has arranged time for gender equality, incorruptibility, human rights, environmental protection and information security education, which is necessary, but these can become mere formalities that seem like added work and stifle government workers.
Frontline staff work to the point of exhaustion, but to no avail. They even have to bear the consequences of poor execution and withstand being accused that they are a public nuisance.
It is inevitable that conflicts arise, as well as bullying.
When handling bullying allegations, apart from examining personal factors, it is also crucial to take a look at systematic issues and cut red tape. If work procedures are not changed, old problems would continue despite officials stepping down.
Huang Jui-pei
Taipei
President William Lai (賴清德) attended a dinner held by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) when representatives from the group visited Taiwan in October. In a speech at the event, Lai highlighted similarities in the geopolitical challenges faced by Israel and Taiwan, saying that the two countries “stand on the front line against authoritarianism.” Lai noted how Taiwan had “immediately condemned” the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas and had provided humanitarian aid. Lai was heavily criticized from some quarters for standing with AIPAC and Israel. On Nov. 4, the Taipei Times published an opinion article (“Speak out on the
Eighty-seven percent of Taiwan’s energy supply this year came from burning fossil fuels, with more than 47 percent of that from gas-fired power generation. The figures attracted international attention since they were in October published in a Reuters report, which highlighted the fragility and structural challenges of Taiwan’s energy sector, accumulated through long-standing policy choices. The nation’s overreliance on natural gas is proving unstable and inadequate. The rising use of natural gas does not project an image of a Taiwan committed to a green energy transition; rather, it seems that Taiwan is attempting to patch up structural gaps in lieu of
News about expanding security cooperation between Israel and Taiwan, including the visits of Deputy Minister of National Defense Po Horng-huei (柏鴻輝) in September and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Francois Wu (吳志中) this month, as well as growing ties in areas such as missile defense and cybersecurity, should not be viewed as isolated events. The emphasis on missile defense, including Taiwan’s newly introduced T-Dome project, is simply the most visible sign of a deeper trend that has been taking shape quietly over the past two to three years. Taipei is seeking to expand security and defense cooperation with Israel, something officials
“Can you tell me where the time and motivation will come from to get students to improve their English proficiency in four years of university?” The teacher’s question — not accusatory, just slightly exasperated — was directed at the panelists at the end of a recent conference on English language learning at Taiwanese universities. Perhaps thankfully for the professors on stage, her question was too big for the five minutes remaining. However, it hung over the venue like an ominous cloud on an otherwise sunny-skies day of research into English as a medium of instruction and the government’s Bilingual Nation 2030
RSS