Taiwan teacher sues for emotional distress after rival sends funeral wreaths to her at new job
Court dismisses bid by ‘distressed’ teacher, says that messages on funeral flower arrangements sent by rival did not contain ‘factual’ accusations
A teacher in Taiwan who sought legal compensation after she received six large funeral wreaths from a rival upon starting at a new school has seen her request rejected.
The incident took place in July 2023 when a woman, surnamed Chen, a teaching director at a primary school in Tainan City, southwestern Taiwan, transferred from one school to another.
On July 17, as Chen arrived at her new school for a teaching evaluation review, she was “greeted” by six pairs of funeral wreaths at the school gate, ostensibly “congratulating” her on her new role.
The messages on the wreaths read: “Congratulations to Director Chen on her honourable transfer to the school”, and “Teachers, parents, and students, now free from suffering, strongly celebrate!”
The wreaths were reportedly sent by another teacher, surnamed Zheng, who works at a different school.
Chen and Zheng had previously known each other while serving as teaching directors at different primary schools.
