CEO of a PR company, during a job interview held at a bar, demanding punishment of the
accused and compensation for damage.
Even though the complainant was not an employee of the company, the Commission
determined that her status as a job seeker granted her the same protection against sexual
harassment as stipulated by the National Human Rights Commission Act and sexual
behaviors in question are subject to workplace sexual harassment since they were
committed during a hiring process and by the CEO.
The CEO did ask a number questions implying sexual natures with no work relevance
during the interview process, one of which was asking her whether she could fall in love
with her supervisor-to-be. After telling the complainant that she was hired, the CEO made
the complainant and her immediate supervisor to dance in a karaoke where he also forced
the two to hold hands and confess love to each other. All of these behaviors were deemed
to be reasonable to incite sexual humiliation and detest from the perspective of a woman.
The Commission judged that the CEO did abuse his power as the top decision maker and
forced sexual harassment onto the complainant. The case was especially serious because
the offense was committed by the very person who was ultimately responsible for
supervision and management of protection of female workers from sexual harassment and
sexual discrimination. To resolve the complaint, the Commission recommended the CEO
to compensate the complainant 3 million Won and to undergo special human rights
education class offered by the Commission.
□ Networking with Organizations for Prevention and Remedy of Sexual Harassment
In 2011, the Commission strengthened its network with organizations dedicated to
prevention of sexual harassment. After receiving a sexual harassment complaint against
XX University in July 2011, the Commission launched an in-depth survey of establishment
and operation of sexual violence counseling centers at the nation’s 4-year universities.
Based on the survey, the Commission hosted a seminar for prevention of sexual
harassment and sexual violence experts and counselors from 41 universities, where the
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Part II. Major Activities of the Commission
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