TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Labor (MOL, 勞動部) on Wednesday (Dec. 11) released an investigation report confirming that the civil servant, who took his own life in early November due to workplace bullying by his former director, faced impossible tasks and improper management. The report detailed Hsieh Yi-jung's (謝宜容), former director of the Northern Branch of the Workforce Development Agency (勞動部勞發署北分署), inappropriate behaviors, including persistent yelling, berating staff, and imposing tasks beyond job responsibilities.
Hsieh's stringent demands extended to every detail of event preparations, with reports of presentation materials being returned for revision up to 45 times. Such actions left employees mentally and physically exhausted. Hsieh often unilaterally judged staff performance as inadequate, demanding self-signed error acknowledgments and suggesting disciplinary actions. This led to a loss of dignity and self-worth among personnel. The report noted frequent, unjustified demands for in-person meetings, during which Hsieh's aggressive behavior continued, causing further stress on staff.
Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) stated that interviews with over 20 individuals revealed consistent criticisms of Hsieh's management style, highlighting a dysfunctional hierarchy. Hung noted an unusual pattern of 81 staff members seeking transfers or resignations, with 40% of civil servants willing to accept demotions to leave, indicating oppressive management. The public servant named Wu (吳) went missing on Nov. 3 and was found the next morning in the agency's office, having died by suicide. Investigators later revealed Wu worked grueling hours, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., without claiming overtime. The incident has since reignited public concern over workplace bullying.