A division head in the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been punished after being found to have engaged in workplace bullying of subordinates, the CDC said today.
The head of the Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases division, surnamed Huang (黃), received two demerits and was removed from supervisory duty after an investigation found bullying allegations against him to be true, CDC Director-General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) said.
Huang is to be transferred to another division as his staff suffered traumatic experiences and are afraid of reprisal, Chuang said.
Photo: Lin Hui-chin, Taipei Times
CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo (羅一鈞) is to be in charge of Huang for the time being, Chuang said.
The investigation came after a post on Threads earlier this month accused Huang of often yelling at coworkers, being verbally abusive by making offensive remarks such as: “Are you a pig?” and throwing documents at colleagues.
The post accused the official of acting like a “local emperor,” adding that many workers said they would even accept a demotion to leave the division.
A team was set up to investigate the case, including two committee members from the CDC and two experts with legal and counseling backgrounds from a third party, the CDC said.
A survey was conducted anonymously with 46 respondents and 15 employees were interviewed, including Huang, Chuang said.
Chuang apologized to employees for the physical and psychological stress they experienced due to Huang’s behavior.
He also said the incident is to be dealt with transparently and openly, adding that counseling services are to be provided to employees.
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