What is the definition of power harassment? Even if you know the word “power harassment,” many people may not know what specific actions constitute power harassment. Let’s check power harassment based on the legal definition of power harassment and the six types of behavior compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. It is knowledge that everyone who works in the workplace should know, not just the relationship between superiors and subordinates.
Definition and types of power harassment
When I said something that I said with the intention of instructing him, or when I pointed out something for the sake of the other person, I was told things like, “Your words are harsh. Have you ever been surprised? “When I was young, I was told the same thing every day.” However, power harassment in the workplace is clearly defined as follows in accordance with Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Revised Labor Measures Comprehensive Promotion Act, which was passed and enacted in May 2019, and employers are required to take preventive measures. It’s obligatory.
Article 30-2 of the Revised Labor Policy Comprehensive Promotion Act
Employers are prohibited from harassing the workers they employ due to words and deeds against the background of a superior relationship in the workplace that exceed the necessary and reasonable scope for business. To ensure that the working environment is not harmed, the employer must establish a system necessary to respond appropriately to consultations from the worker concerned and take other necessary measures for employment management.
Based on this law, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare classifies acts that fall under power harassment into six types (however, this does not limit power harassment to only these).
- physical aggression
- mental attack
- detachment from relationships
- excessive demands
- under demand
- individual infringement
Actions (2) to (6) require continuity and repetitiveness. Let’s think on the premise of “never do it even once”.
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Definition of power harassment: Behavior type ① physical attack
Physical aggression such as hitting, punching, kicking, grabbing by the collar, or throwing objects.
Definition of power harassment … Behavior type ② Mental attack
It is an emotionally damaging act such as making demeaning remarks, loudly swearing and lashing out at others, reprimanding them for long periods of time without need, and ridiculing others for their failures.
When instructing, if you repeatedly say words that deny your character, such as “It doesn’t matter what you do…” “You’re failing again. .
Definition of power harassment: Behavioral pattern ③ Separation from human relationships
It is the act of excluding a specific person from a workplace or relationship with co-workers.
This includes actions such as ignoring people you don’t like, isolating them without giving them necessary information, and not inviting just one person to a meeting without a reason even though they are members.
Definition of power harassment: Behavior type ④ Excessive demands
It is an act of making an unreasonable demand that clearly cannot be fulfilled by the person’s own efforts.
This is the case when you impose unattainable quotas and strongly reprimand them for not being able to meet them. This act also includes the case of forcing someone to do private business unrelated to work.
Definition of power harassment: Behavior pattern (5) Insufficient demands
It is an act that makes people feel uneasy by not assigning jobs to specific people and only giving them jobs that are clearly not commensurate with their abilities and experience.
This applies to cases such as intentionally not giving a job to a worker who does not like it and making him idle in order to quit.
Definition of power harassment: violation of behavioral pattern (6)
This includes cases of forcibly agreeing to a private invitation during private time, prying into personal matters, or revealing personal information without the consent of the person.
Possibility of power harassment among subordinates, superiors and colleagues
Power harassment does not always occur in one direction, from top to bottom
In general, I think that power harassment in the workplace is often thought of as an act “from the boss to the subordinate”. However, power harassment is not limited to specific positions or positions. From the definition of the Revised Labor Measures Comprehensive Promotion Act introduced earlier, it is necessary to keep the following two points in particular.
(1) Words and behavior against the background of a superior relationship
(2) Things that exceed the necessary and reasonable scope of work
(1) Words and behavior against the background of a superior relationship
For example, an existing employee excludes a new employee from the group , the constant intimidating attitude of a person with highly specialized knowledge, and the collective ignoring of one person—even if they are not actions that take advantage of the status of a superior and a subordinate, these behaviors can be regarded as a “dominant relationship.” “It is considered to be power harassment against the background. In other words, anyone can be a perpetrator or a victim, regardless of position.
(2) Things that go beyond what is necessary and reasonable for business purposes
. It can be said that it is guidance in
On the other hand, if the other person has already understood and reflected on it, but the same caution is repeated over and over again, it deviates from the “necessary and reasonable range” of work.
Power harassment countermeasures and power harassment countermeasures
If you are suffering from power harassment, it is important to consult with a consultation desk or someone you trust.If you feel that you may be experiencing power harassment, it is important that you carefully reflect on whether the behavior you are experiencing falls under the above definition of workplace power harassment and the six types of behavior.
Instead of thinking it over by yourself, it would be a good idea to talk to someone you trust, or consult with a counseling service at your workplace. In addition, you can also consult at the general labor consultation corner of the prefectural labor bureau.
“If I can’t endure any kind of humiliation, I can’t survive at work,” “I have to do whatever I say to support my family,” I continue to suffer from unbearable pain. Some people endure. However, stress can lead to the development of mental illness.
In order to notice power harassment, it is important to first notice your honest feelings such as hard, scary, and painful. And if you feel that there is a limit to what you can do to reach out to others, talk to those around you. Just listening to the story can make things easier, and you can also receive advice and support that will lead to a solution.
Overcoming hardships at work does not mean enduring power harassment. Workers have the right to work without power harassment. If you notice power harassment, don’t hold onto the problem and find a rational solution, including consultation.
Frequently asked questions about the definition of power harassment
Q. What is the definition of power harassment at school?
A. Power harassment at school includes “academic harassment” by teachers against students and “bullying” between students. Academic harassment is defined by each educational institution, and bullying is defined by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology based on the Act on Promotion of Measures to Prevent Bullying.