Core Viewpoint - The phenomenon of bullying is not limited to children in schools but is prevalent among adults in various social settings, including workplaces, neighborhoods, and online platforms [1] Group 1: Workplace Bullying - The book "Reasons to Fear Work" by Seihei Sakakura focuses on workplace bullying, exemplified by the Kobe City Higashisuma Elementary School incident, where a young male teacher was subjected to extreme bullying by four colleagues [2] - The investigation revealed 125 different forms of bullying, including verbal abuse and physical confinement [2][3] - Specific bullying actions included using derogatory terms, physical restraint, and forced consumption of extremely spicy food [3][4] Group 2: Causes and Context - Sakakura identifies several factors contributing to workplace bullying, such as the personal qualities of the aggressors, the responsibilities of current and former school principals, and the unique culture of the school [5] - A significant factor noted is the overwhelming workload of teachers, leading to immense stress and a search for outlets for that stress, which fosters a culture of bullying [5] - According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan, bullying-related consultations have ranked first in labor-related inquiries for nine consecutive years, with 79,190 cases reported in 2020, a significant increase from 45,939 cases in 2011 [5] Group 3: Broader Implications - Sakakura argues that workplace bullying is often a result of companies prioritizing short-term profits over employee well-being, leading to a culture where bullying can thrive [6] - The economic downturn has exacerbated this issue, as traditional employment practices decline, creating a buyer's market for employers who can impose poor working conditions [6] - The book analyzes various forms of workplace bullying, including personal attacks, social exclusion, unreasonable demands, and privacy invasions, often tolerated or even encouraged by companies as a management strategy [7][8] Group 4: Cultural Context - The author suggests that workplace bullying is a symptom of capitalism, but also highlights that the exploitation levels in East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea are significantly higher than in European nations [9] - The emphasis on hierarchy, obedience, and conformity in East Asian cultures is seen as a breeding ground for bullying behaviors in the workplace [10]

Group 1 - The core issue involves a complaint of workplace bullying at the subsidiary Guangzhou Maiyou, which has been investigated thoroughly by the company [1] - The investigation included interviews with both parties involved and team members, as well as reviewing work records to clarify the facts [1] - The investigation concluded that there was no evidence of repeated, targeted, or malicious behavior by the accused, and thus could not be classified as workplace bullying [1] Group 2 - The local labor union and labor inspection team have intervened and completed inquiries and investigations to ensure the objectivity and fairness of the investigation [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a controversial incident at Yuanfudao, highlighting issues of workplace culture, gender objectification, and the treatment of employees who voice concerns [1][29]. Group 1: Incident Overview - A male HRBP at Yuanfudao proposed a "unique activity" involving female employees wearing short skirts to distribute prizes, which was perceived as objectifying women [1][14]. - The proposal was made during a meeting attended by 19 participants, with only 3 being male, and it did not face immediate objections [3][4]. - A female HRBP, Xiaohua, felt offended and reported the incident to her superior, requesting disciplinary action against the male HRBP [4][8]. Group 2: Leadership Response - The HR director, Li, attempted to downplay the incident, suggesting that focusing on details could harm team cohesion, which was seen as a lack of support for Xiaohua [5][15]. - Li's response included a subtle form of manipulation, implying that Xiaohua was being overly sensitive and damaging team morale [6][16]. Group 3: Consequences for Xiaohua - Following her complaint, Xiaohua was summoned for a discussion about terminating her employment, which she did not accept [9][30]. - On July 24, she was dismissed under the pretext of not meeting job performance standards, with the company seizing her work equipment and access [9][20]. - The timing of her dismissal raised suspicions of retaliatory motives, especially as it occurred shortly after her complaint [24][30]. Group 4: Company Culture and Values - The incident reflects deeper issues within Yuanfudao's corporate culture, suggesting a problematic attitude towards gender and employee treatment [29][31]. - The company's response to Xiaohua's complaint and the subsequent dismissal indicate a failure to address the core issues of workplace harassment and gender objectification [29][32]. - The article criticizes the company's approach to employee welfare, equating it to a form of "soft pornography" rather than a legitimate creative initiative [31][32].

Core Points - The nominee for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Kang Seon-woo, has withdrawn her nomination, marking the second ministerial candidate to fall during the hearing stage under President Lee Jae-myung's administration [1] - Kang's withdrawal is attributed to allegations of workplace bullying, with reports indicating she had a high turnover rate among her aides, employing 51 aides and dismissing 46 since her election in 2020 [3] - Kang publicly apologized for the disappointment caused to the public and expressed her willingness to accept criticism and reflect deeply on the situation [3] Summary by Sections Nomination and Withdrawal - Kang Seon-woo's withdrawal makes her the first sitting lawmaker to resign during the review phase since the hearing system was revised in 2005 [1] Allegations and Controversies - Allegations against Kang include oppressive management practices towards her aides, such as requiring them to perform personal tasks and subjecting them to verbal abuse [3] - Testimonies from former aides and a previous minister highlight the severity of the accusations, including claims of mental pressure and threats regarding budget cuts [3] Government Response - The presidential office has not made a specific statement regarding Kang's withdrawal but indicated that they will quickly seek a new candidate who meets public expectations [3]

Core Viewpoint - A part-time employee at Nayuki's Tea in Shenzhen reported workplace bullying after being abruptly notified of her dismissal and receiving derogatory comments from staff, sparking widespread discussion on social media [2][4]. Company Response - Nayuki's Tea has taken the matter seriously and has intervened in the situation, with the company acknowledging the issue and attempting to address it [3][10]. Employee Experience - The employee, a student who started working at Nayuki's Tea in May, claimed she was not scheduled for shifts for nearly a month and was told to resign without prior notice. She expressed that if the store did not need her, they should have informed her earlier so she could seek other employment [4][11]. - The employee shared that a staff member made insulting remarks about her age and work speed during a dispute, which she interpreted as workplace bullying [4][11]. Industry Context - The incident is not isolated, as multiple well-known tea brands have faced similar complaints regarding workplace bullying. Experts suggest that such issues are prevalent in the industry, often due to poor management practices and a lack of effective personnel management [10][11]. - The management consultant highlighted that many chain restaurants prioritize sales and customer experience over employee management, leading to a culture where bullying can occur [11]. Financial Performance - Nayuki's Tea reported a revenue decline of 4.71% to 4.921 billion yuan for 2024, with an adjusted loss of 919 million yuan. The company transitioned from a profit of 20.912 million yuan in 2023 to a significant loss, reflecting a year-on-year decline of 4476.2% [11]. - As of December 31, 2024, Nayuki's Tea had 1,798 stores, an increase of 143 stores year-on-year, comprising 1,453 direct-operated stores and 345 franchised stores [11].

Group 1 - The "May Day Action Alliance," composed of various labor unions and social groups in Taiwan, held a labor parade advocating against workplace bullying and for labor rights protection [1][2] - Thousands of participants from different cities and industries, including healthcare, aviation, banking, and public services, joined the march, emphasizing the theme "Against Bullying, For Protection" [1] - The Taiwan Labor Party highlighted the importance of cross-strait peace for labor groups, citing concerns over job stability amid U.S. tariff pressures that could worsen employment conditions in Taiwan [1] Group 2 - Numerous healthcare-related unions participated in the parade, voicing demands such as "Healthcare Workers Leaving, Against Low Salary Bullying, Workforce Needs to be Supplemented" [2] - The Taiwan Nurses Association pointed out the challenging conditions faced by nurses, including high risks, long hours, high pressure, low salaries, and low dignity, calling for the protection of their labor rights [2]

Group 1 - The "May Day Action Alliance" organized a labor parade in Taiwan, focusing on workplace bullying and labor rights protection [1] - Thousands of participants from various sectors, including healthcare, aviation, banking, and public services, joined the parade, emphasizing the theme "Against Bullying, For Protection" [1] - The Labor Rights Association highlighted the importance of cross-strait peace for Taiwan's labor community, linking it to job stability and economic development [1] Group 2 - The current challenges in Taiwan include low birth rates, aging population, high inflation, and labor issues such as low wages and long working hours [2] - The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is criticized for escalating cross-strait tensions and failing to protect labor rights, particularly after TSMC's relocation to the U.S. and the imposition of high tariffs by the U.S. [2] - The healthcare sector is facing significant labor shortages, with a reported average turnover rate of 10.7% among nurses in major hospitals [3]