Coercive Control

Coercive control is a persistent pattern of behavior, including threats, humiliation, and isolation, used to strip an individual of their autonomy. Originating in criminology, it is recognized as a severe psychosocial hazard in enterprise risk management, closely related to workplace bullying and harassment. While not explicitly named, its constituent behaviors are addressed by ISO 45003:2021 (Psychological health and safety at work). In Taiwan, it falls under the employer's duty to prevent unlawful infringement under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. It constitutes a significant operational, compliance, and reputational risk for businesses.

Application in ERM follows ISO 45003 guidelines. Step 1: Risk Identification and Policy. Assess psychosocial hazards through surveys and establish a zero-tolerance policy against controlling behaviors. Step 2: Training and Communication. Implement mandatory training for all staff on identifying and reporting such behaviors through confidential channels. Step 3: Incident Response and Monitoring. Create a fair investigation process and track metrics like complaint rates and employee turnover. A global tech firm saw a 30% reduction in harassment claims after implementing a similar program, demonstrating its effectiveness in mitigating legal and human capital risks.

Taiwan enterprises face three key challenges. 1) Cultural Norms: A hierarchical culture may cause employees to misinterpret controlling behaviors as strong leadership, discouraging reporting. 2) Vague Legal Awareness: Many firms narrowly interpret workplace safety laws, focusing only on physical violence while neglecting psychological harm. 3) Resource Constraints: SMEs often lack dedicated HR or legal expertise for proper implementation. Solutions include top-down leadership commitment to psychological safety, seeking external legal and training expertise, and outsourcing resources like Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for mental health support and independent investigations.

Winners Consulting specializes in coercive control for Taiwan enterprises, delivering compliant management systems within 90 days. Free consultation: https://winners.com.tw/contact