Ichinomiya dismisses worker over 544 unauthorised breaks

A 65-year-old Ichinomiya City worker was dismissed on October 29 for taking breaks during work hours.

The part-time employee worked in the city’s childcare department and used a municipal vehicle while visiting nurseries to deliver documents and maintain playgrounds.

From April 2024 to October 2026, he spent 971 work hours away from his duties at home or commercial facilities, separate from his daily lunch break.

One account says the stops happened 544 times, while another gives no total number of stops.

The city said the work was not delayed, but is seeking about ¥1.46 million in overpaid wages.

The worker said he knew the breaks were wrong and cited the heat as a factor in his poor judgment this year.

He indicated he would repay the money, and the city has dismissed him.