Taiwan: Elderly Care Facility Owner Fined for Sexual Harassment of 19-Year-Old Employee

A shocking case in Kaohsiung highlights workplace harassment and the exploitation of a young woman in Taiwan.

A 19-year-old woman in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, filed a sexual harassment complaint against the owner of an elderly care facility, leading to a significant fine.

The incident began when the woman applied for a secretarial position advertised by the care facility. Initial contact via Instagram involved the owner sending bikini photos and suggesting she wear such attire for the interview. The woman dismissed the suggestion.

During the interview, the owner made suggestive comments and sent messages like "need a capable secretary," followed by inquiries about her "capability." Within the first two days of employment, the harassment escalated. The owner touched her head and shoulders, requested hand massages, and then made inappropriate physical contact.

The situation culminated in a KTV gathering on the fourth day of her employment. The owner reportedly grabbed her, touched her waist and buttocks, and reached inside her clothing to fondle her chest, even when KTV staff were present.

The owner denied most of the allegations, claiming the physical contact was normal social interaction and that the KTV incident was due to intoxication. However, the Kaohsiung City Labor Bureau's investigation, which included social media records, KTV photos, witness testimonies, and the victim’s medical records, substantiated the claims. The investigation found the owner abused his position to sexually harass and commit indecent assault against the 19-year-old.

Consequently, the owner was fined NT$300,000 (approximately US$9,400) under Taiwan's Gender Equality in Employment Act, due to the repeated and severe nature of the harassment that caused significant emotional distress to the employee.