Orion issues apology over suicide at local plant
Domestic confectionery giant Orion Corporation issued a statement of apology Tuesday, expressing condolence to the bereaved family of an employee surnamed Suh, who committed suicide at the factory in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, March 17.
“According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s investigation into the case, the order of the deceased’s boss to submit a written apology was an act of workplace bullying and we were told to provide guidance and improve the rigid office culture at our plant in Iksan,” Orion wrote.
“We will humbly accept and follow the ministry’s recommendation.”
Suh had reportedly been bullied at work and her team leader forced her to write an apology for her apparent misconduct.
Orion said employees at its company submit written apologies from time to time as the confectionery company has to stick to strict rules when manufacturing food to ensure consumer safety.
However, Suh’s boss ordered her to submit the letter without notifying the company or receiving permission to carry out the procedure.
Orion said it will take disciplinary action against the team leader who had no authority to make such demands.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no precedent where ordering an employee to submit a written explanation or apology is considered an act of workplace bullying. However, we will humbly accept the judgment of the ministry and will implement improvement guidance and recommended measures,” the company said. The labor ministry did not find Suh’s colleague guilty of workplace bullying, though Orion said it will investigate the case internally as advised by the ministry.
The confectionery firm promised it would establish an external counseling body for its employees to use. They will be seeking advice for office life as well as personal matters.
“Through this case, we learned that the deceased had no one to go to for advice at work and there was a rigid organizational culture in the production facility. Now, the head office began listening to the voices of employees to improve the work environment and culture at all of Orion’s factories,” an Orion official said.