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
The gutting of Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Asia (RFA) by US President Donald Trump’s administration poses a serious threat to the global voice of freedom, particularly for those living under authoritarian regimes such as China. The US — hailed as the model of liberal democracy — has the moral responsibility to uphold the values it champions. In undermining these institutions, the US risks diminishing its “soft power,” a pivotal pillar of its global influence. VOA Tibetan and RFA Tibetan played an enormous role in promoting the strong image of the US in and outside Tibet. On VOA Tibetan,
Sung Chien-liang (宋建樑), the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) efforts to recall Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Lee Kun-cheng (李坤城), caused a national outrage and drew diplomatic condemnation on Tuesday after he arrived at the New Taipei City District Prosecutors’ Office dressed in a Nazi uniform. Sung performed a Nazi salute and carried a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf as he arrived to be questioned over allegations of signature forgery in the recall petition. The KMT’s response to the incident has shown a striking lack of contrition and decency. Rather than apologizing and distancing itself from Sung’s actions,
US President Trump weighed into the state of America’s semiconductor manufacturing when he declared, “They [Taiwan] stole it from us. They took it from us, and I don’t blame them. I give them credit.” At a prior White House event President Trump hosted TSMC chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家), head of the world’s largest and most advanced chip manufacturer, to announce a commitment to invest US$100 billion in America. The president then shifted his previously critical rhetoric on Taiwan and put off tariffs on its chips. Now we learn that the Trump Administration is conducting a “trade investigation” on semiconductors which
By now, most of Taiwan has heard Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an’s (蔣萬安) threats to initiate a vote of no confidence against the Cabinet. His rationale is that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)-led government’s investigation into alleged signature forgery in the Chinese Nationalist Party’s (KMT) recall campaign constitutes “political persecution.” I sincerely hope he goes through with it. The opposition currently holds a majority in the Legislative Yuan, so the initiation of a no-confidence motion and its passage should be entirely within reach. If Chiang truly believes that the government is overreaching, abusing its power and targeting political opponents — then
RSS