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Japanese Officials Apologise On Tv After Worker Goes To Lunch Early

Japanese officials apologise on tv after worker goes to lunch early

Japanese officials have apologised during a bizarre television news conference after a public servant went to lunch three minutes early.

The employee works at the waterworks bureau in Kobe.

Management docked the worker half a day’s pay as a result of him leaving the office just before noon, which he did 26 times in seven months.

The man explained that he left a few minutes early because he needed “a change of pace”.

He also expressed his desire to buy a bento lunch each day – a common takeaway meal in Japan.

A Japanese takeaway bento meal.

Colleague spilled the beans

A colleague spilled the beans on the official’s illicit bento expeditions when he looked out of his office window and spotted him walking to a nearby restaurant.

Management calculated how much time he had spent away from his desk, and subsequently docked him half a day’s pay.

A spokesperson told the Japan Times:

“The lunch break is from 12 noon to 1pm.  He left his desk before the break.

“The worker had contravened a public service law which demands officials “concentrate on their jobs.”

At the press conference, city officials described the “misconduct” as “deeply regrettable” before bowing in apology in front of the cameras with one adding, “We are sorry.”


WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:


Japanese work culture ‘unhealthy’

Industrial advocate Miles Heffernan from IR Claims said Japan’s work culture is unhealthy for employees.

“It’s not uncommon for workers in Japan to do hundreds of hours of overtime a month,” he said.

“And, as a result, many are literally working themselves to death.

“In fact, the Japanese government has just introduced a law restricting the amount of overtime a worker can do to 100 hours a month.

“Here in Australia, there are strict laws surrounding the amount of overtime someone can do.

“Most workplaces also have a healthy culture where, if a worker leaves their desk a few minutes early to grab lunch, nobody cares.”


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