“노인학대 신고했다고…” 연평도 공립요양원 ‘직장 내 괴롭힘’ 의혹

An investigation into alleged workplace harassment at the Yeongpo Public Nursing Home in Incheon is currently underway, with the local labor agency receiving a formal complaint. The head of the facility, who joined in late last year, faces charges of violating the Labor Standards Act (workplace harassment) for allegedly mistreating three staff members. Among the accused is an unnamed female worker, identified as 조아무개, who was reportedly ordered by the head to avoid contact with several other staff members.

According to one of 조아무개's colleagues, ㄱ씨, the head allegedly instructed her to keep a distance from 조아무개 and suggested that the two had a problematic relationship. ㄱ씨 claimed that 조아무개 was even photographed by certain staff members, with one of them even calling the other "ruffians." ㄱ씨 also stated that 조아무개 had complained that she received mistreatment in return for being friendly with ㄱ씨.

Another former employee, ㄴ씨, who recently left the home, alleged that 조아무개 demanded that she not be too friendly, but that she was still subjected to harassment. ㄷ씨, who currently works at the facility, said that the head would mockingly criticize her expertise in front of residents and that the company's CEO had even ordered her to improve her performance.

조아무개 herself claims that she reported an instance of nursing home abuse in 2024, which led to her being fired in July 2025 and rehired in December of the same year. She alleges that she has faced a pattern of collective harassment since her return. The head acknowledged receiving a complaint to the local labor office and stated that he would proceed with a fair inquiry as per standard procedures.