A Japanese train driver is suing his bosses for more than 2.2million yen (£14,300) after his wages were docked by 85 yen (56p) when his train arrived just one minute late.
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)
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 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 (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
