Taichung, Taiwan — November 19, 2025
Taichung Court Orders Employer to Pay NT$109,880 for Prolonged Workplace Bullying of Single Mother
A Taichung District Court has ruled in favor of a single mother who sued her employer for sustained verbal harassment and discrimination at a long-term care facility, ordering the employer to pay NT$109,880 in damages.
The plaintiff, a woman surnamed Tsai, worked as an administrative staff member at a long-term care center operated by a woman surnamed Chang. According to the court’s findings, Tsai endured months of verbal abuse while carrying out routine duties such as administrative coordination and meal purchasing. The incidents occurred between May and November 2024.
Months of Harsh Treatment
In the verdict, the court noted that Chang repeatedly yelled at, insulted, and mocked Tsai during work hours. Testimonies and evidence showed that Chang frequently belittled single mothers and directed harsh remarks toward Tsai, including comments such as, “Did you even bring your brain to work?” The ongoing hostility reportedly left Tsai in tears on several occasions and eventually led her to seek psychiatric treatment.
A particularly severe incident occurred on October 16 last year, when Chang allegedly scolded Tsai by saying that she only hired her out of pity because she was a single parent, adding further discriminatory comments regarding single-parent families receiving government assistance.
Psychological Impact and Lawsuit
Medical records submitted to the court showed that Tsai was diagnosed with mixed anxiety and depressive adjustment disorder, accompanied by symptoms such as insomnia, panic, and severe stress. Tsai argued that Chang’s behavior caused significant harm to her dignity, health, and personal rights, prompting her to seek NT$109,880 in compensation for emotional distress.
Employer Denies Wrongdoing, Co-Workers Testify Otherwise
Chang denied all allegations, claiming she never bullied Tsai and insisting that Tsai bore the responsibility of proving her claims. She stated that she had even shown concern for Tsai by encouraging her not to feel overwhelmed and to focus on raising her child.
However, two colleagues contradicted Chang’s account. One co-worker surnamed Deng testified that he witnessed Chang berating Tsai until she cried, including hearing the remark, “Did you even bring your brain to work?” Another employee surnamed Wang recalled seeing Tsai exit the office in tears after being scolded, noting that Chang had used discriminatory comments involving Tsai’s status as a single parent.
Court’s Decision
After reviewing the testimonies and Tsai’s medical records, the Taichung District Court concluded that Chang had engaged in persistent workplace bullying that resulted in both physical and psychological harm to Tsai. The judge emphasized that the abusive behavior lasted for half a year and that Chang had shown no remorse throughout the proceedings.
The court ruled that Chang must pay the full compensation amount of NT$109,880. The decision is subject to appeal.