New Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence: Ministry of Labor Mandates Employer Priority on Worker Safety

(Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsiung-feng, Taipei, July 14) In response to the new Occupational Safety and Health Act taking effect in July, the Ministry of Labor today announced the revised 'Guidelines for Preventing Unlawful Workplace侵害.' Employers are now required to prioritize the safety of frontline workers who face malicious complaints, verbal abuse, threats, or violence from customers or the public.

The Ministry of Labor has substantially revised the 'Occupational Safety and Health Act,' adding a dedicated chapter on workplace bullying prevention, which officially took effect on July 1. To align with the new regulations, the Ministry today released the updated 'Guidelines for Preventing Unlawful Workplace侵害,' strengthening mechanisms for preventing internal and external workplace violence.

In a press release, the Ministry stated that this is the fifth edition of the 'Guidelines for Preventing Unlawful侵害 in the Performance of Duties.' It clearly distinguishes between workplace bullying and other forms of unlawful侵害, and strengthens prevention, reporting, investigation, assistance, and protection mechanisms for both internal and external violent incidents, helping organizations establish comprehensive management systems.

According to the Act, five criteria must be met to认定 workplace bullying: it must occur in the workplace during the performance of duties; involve personnel within the organization using their position or authority; exceed the necessary and reasonable scope of work; involve persistent offensive, threatening, or neglectful verbal or behavioral conduct; and result in harm to the worker's physical or mental health.

The Ministry explained that the purpose of these guidelines is to establish a clearer case triage and management mechanism, ensuring all types of incidents have clear legal basis and procedures, avoiding confusion or duplicate handling.

The Ministry emphasized that incidents involving sexual harassment, stalking, employment discrimination, or workplace bullying should be handled primarily under their respective specialized laws. Senior management should clearly declare policies to prevent unlawful workplace侵害 and establish fair and reasonable reporting and handling mechanisms.

Additionally, for frontline workers facing malicious complaints, verbal abuse, threats, or violence from customers, the public, or third parties, employers must prioritize worker safety and provide legal, medical, or psychological counseling support and protective measures as needed.

The guidelines also require organizations to establish and publicly disclose multiple reporting channels, improve investigation and handling procedures, and ensure that workplace surveillance equipment balances safety management needs with worker privacy protection. Over-monitoring must be avoided, and surveillance equipment must not be installed in highly private areas such as toilets or changing rooms. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150714