A Japanese train driver who had his wages docked by 43 yen (28p) over a one-minute delay is suing his bosses for more than 2.2million yen ...
A Japanese train driver who had his wages docked by 43 yen (28p) over a one-minute delay is suing his bosses for more than 2.2million yen (£14,300).
The worker was scheduled to transport an empty train to Okayama Station, in the south of the country, on June 18 last year, but arrived at the wrong platform when taking over from another driver.
He hurried to the correct platform but the error meant the train's departure and arrival to the depot were both delayed by one minute - leading the West Japan Railway Company (JR West) to deduct 85 yen (56p) from his July paypacket.
JR West argued that during the two-minute delay, 'no labor was performed', justifying a deduction in wages.
The driver took the matter to the Okayama Labor Standards Inspection Office, leading JR West to reduce the delay time to one minute, and the penalty to just 43 yen (28p).
But the employee refused to accept the deduction, arguing that the delay caused no disruption to the timetables given that the train was empty.
The male worker was scheduled to transport an empty train to Okayama Station on June 18 last year, but arrived at the wrong platform when taking over from another driver (file photo)
He decided to take his case to the Okayama District Court in March, and is now seeking compensation of 43 yen (28p) for the one-minute delay penalty, 13 yen (0.085p) in overtime created by the delay and 2.2 million yen (£14,300) for 'mental anguish', reported SoraNews24.
JR West cited its 'no work, no pay principle' as the motivation behind the pay cut, which it said is applied to anyone who arrives late or doesn't show up to work.
The driver accused the company of 'using wage cuts as "sanctions" for human error', adding that a small mistake shouldn't be deemed a breach of contract.
Some social media users in Japan sided with the driver, criticising the 'lack of leeway' when it comes to the running of the country's railway services.
One wrote: 'Everyone makes mistakes — wage cuts shouldn't be made unless it's a big deal.
'If this becomes normal, wage cuts due to mistakes will spread to other industries as well.'
Another said: 'This lack of leeway is a characteristic of Japan. It's not about being highly productive.'
One added: 'If you're a crew member, it's often said that if you cause a delay of one minute, you'll be treated as if you've caused an accident.'
Japan has one of the world's most reliable railways and it is extremely rare for a train to depart at a different time to the one scheduled.
In 2017, one train company apologised for the 'severe inconvenience' caused when a service departed 20 seconds early.
West Japan Rail Company cited its 'no work, no pay principle' as the motivation behind the pay cut, which it said is applied to anyone who arrives late or doesn't show up to work (Pictured: Okayama Station)
The train on the Tokyo-area Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company's Tsukuba Express was meant to leave at 9.44am.
But the train instead left at 9:43:40, prompting an official apology on the company's website.
It read: 'On November 14, at approximately 9:44 a.m., a northbound Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company (main office in Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward, President & CEO Koichi Yugi) train left Minami Nagareyama Station roughly 20 seconds earlier than the time indicated on the timetable.
'We deeply apologise for the severe inconvenience imposed upon our customers.'
The company blamed the crew for failing to 'sufficiently check the departure time and perform the departure operation'.
No customers had complained about the early departure from Minami Nagareyama Station, which is just north of Tokyo, the company explained.
'We taught the crew so that the basic actions to prevent recurrence are thoroughly carried out,' the statement read before ending: 'That's all.'
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