No More Free Passes for Boss's Family? Up to 10 Million Won in Fines

Going forward, superiors and workers who commit workplace sexual harassment—not only employers, but also those who are relatives of employers or corporate executives—will face fines of up to 10 million won.

The system has been strengthened so that fines can be imposed on offenders who previously evaded internal disciplinary action due to their status within the company or their relationship with the employer.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced that an amendment to the enforcement decree of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Work-Family Balance Assistance Act containing these provisions was deliberated and resolved at a Cabinet meeting today (November 3).

Previously, fines for workplace sexual harassment were imposed only on employers, while sexual harassment by corporate executives, superiors, or workers was subject solely to internal company disciplinary measures.

In particular, there were widespread criticisms that objective investigations and disciplinary actions were difficult when perpetrators were corporate executives or had familial relationships with business owners.

Accordingly, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act was amended last May to expand the scope of those subject to fines, and the latest amendment to the enforcement decree specifies the scope of relatives and the criteria for imposing fines.

Relatives subject to fines include superiors and workers working at the relevant workplace who are spouses, blood relatives within the fourth degree, or relatives by marriage within the fourth degree of the business owner or corporate executive.

Fines are set at 3 million won if the sexual harassment is committed by an employer or corporate executive, and 2 million won if committed by a superior or worker who is a relative.

In cases where an individual commits sexual harassment multiple times or against two or more people, a fine of 5 million won will be imposed regardless of the perpetrator's classification, and a fine of 10 million won will be imposed if someone who has been penalized with a fine for sexual harassment within the past three years commits it again.

Also approved at today's Cabinet meeting was an amendment to the enforcement decree of the Act on Prohibition of Age Discrimination in Employment and Aged Employment Promotion.

The obligation for employers to provide re-employment support services—such as career design and job placement—to involuntary separation-bound employees aged 50 or older will be phased in, expanding from workplaces with 1,000 or more employees to those with 500 or more starting in July next year, and to 300 or more starting in July 2029.

Employers will also be permitted to provide conveniences, such as working hours adjustments, to workers participating in job programs including vocational training.

In addition, related enforcement decrees were amended to require employers, when granting a worker's request for reduced working hours during the child-rearing period, to notify the worker in writing or electronically within 14 days from the date of application.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.