Getting Paid Even though the Train Made You Late!

Japan Watching | 電車が遅れても賃金はもらえる⁉

Getting Paid Even though the Train Made You Late!

People the world over are aware that Japanese trains arrive at their destinations on schedule. If a train arrives at its destination over five to ten minutes later than scheduled due to accidents or weather conditions, many railroad companies distribute slips to passengers at the ticket gate certifying that the train has been delayed. Many schools and companies do not count those who present these slips as being late. One day, this came up in conversation when I talked to two Asian students who work at a restaurant managed by an acquaintance of mine. The male student who had worked there for long time said, “When I was delayed I handed the slip to the restaurant manager, but it was refused.” On hearing this, the affable female student exclaimed, “Really?” With an expression that showed he was unable to accept this, the male student said, “I was told part time staff were not covered.” I knew that it didn’t apply to part timers since they are paid by the hour. However, the female student said, “I have only worked here for about a month, but when I submitted the slip the other day, they didn’t treat me as being late.” Showing his displeasure, the male student said, “It’s discrimination. If they accept it, it’s strange that it shouldn’t apply to me who has worked here longer.” After this, as I had an opportunity to speak with the manager, I asked him about it. “Isn’t it unfair that the late slip only covers the hourly rate of this girl?” The manger had this to say: “These days because of the intense price wars between stores, it is difficult to raise the hourly rate, so no matter what we do to recruit, there just aren’t people who want to work for us.” “Therefore, we decided to treat part time staff who submitted slips as not being late.” When I said, “Have you informed the male student of this?” he had this to say: “Unfortunately, he has already quit.” (From August issue, 2014 / 2014年8月号より)

日本にほん
Nihon no
Japanese
レストランれすとらん
resutoran no
[restaurant]
経営者けいえいしゃ
keieisha
(the) manger
to
with
はな
hanasu
to speak
機会きかい
kikai ga
(an) opportunity
あった
atta
(I) had
ので、
node,
as
このことを
kono koto o/wo
about it
きました。
kikimashita.
(I) asked (him)
遅延ちえん証明書しょうめいしょ
“Chien shoumeisho o/wo
(the) late slip
彼女かのじょ
kanojo
(this) girl
ni
of
だけ
dake
only
適用てきようする
tekiyou suru
covers (the hourly rate)
のは、
nowa/ha,
that
不公平ふこうへい
fukouhei
unfair
ではないですか」。
dewa/ha nai desu ka.
isn’t it
経営者けいえいしゃ
”Keieisha wa/ha
(the) manger
こう
kou
this
説明せつめいしました。
setsumei shimashita.
had to say
最近さいきん
“Saikin wa/ha
these days
はげしい
hageshii
intense
価格かかく競争きょうそう
kakaku kyousou
(the) price wars (between stores)
de
because of
時給じきゅう
jikyuu o/wo
(the) hourly wage
げられない
agerarenai
(it) is difficult to raise
ため、
tame,
so
どんなに
donnnani
no mater
募集ぼしゅうしても
boshuu shite mo
what (we ) do to recruit
はたらいてくれる
hataraite kureru
(who) wants to work (for us)
ひと
hito ga
people
いないんですよ。
inai n desu yo.
there (just) aren’t
それで、
Sorede,
therefore
証明書しょうめいしょ
shoumeisho o/wo
slips
提出ていしゅつした
teishutsu shita
(who) submitted
アルバイトあるばいと
arubaito wa/ha
part time staff
遅刻ちこくあつかいにしないと
chikoku atsukai ni shinai to
to treat as not being late
めたんです」。
kimeta n desu.”
(we) decided
「そのことを
“Sono koto o/wo
of this
男子だんし学生がくせい
danshi’gakusei ni
(the) male student
らせたんですか」
shiraseta n desu ka”
have you informed
to
[that]
わたし
Watashi ga
I
kiku
said <asked>
と、
to,
when
かれ
kare wa/ha
he
こう
kou
this
いました。
iimashita.
had to say
「それが、
“Sorega,
unfortunately
もう
mou
already
やめてしまったんですよ」
yamete shimatta n desu yo”
(he) has quit
と。
to.
[that]

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