TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Development Council said it would investigate allegations of workplace bullying that appeared in media reports on Friday (Nov. 22).

The NDC said in a statement that it has not received any complaints of bullying. “However, in response to the content reported by the media, an investigation process will be initiated immediately and will be completed within one week to safeguard the rights and interests of the colleagues and involved parties,” the statement said.

The NDC said a hotline, email inbox, and fax line exist for staff to report bullying in the workplace. It said information about these services has been widely shared with employees.

UDN published allegations of workplace bullying from unnamed NDC staff members on Friday. The article said the staff that complained all had the same supervisor and alleged verbal abuse, physical threats, and humiliating punishments.

The allegations came after a labor ministry employee died by suicide at work in early November. Allegations of workplace bullying and verbal abuse involving the employee and their supervisor arose after the death, while Labor Minister Ho Pei-shan (何佩珊) resigned over the incident.