Anyone seen Joaquin? Civil servant throws six-year sickie … and nobody notices

A civil servant has been fined €27,000 after pulling a sickie for six years. Water company worker Joaquin Garcia was only caught when he became eligible to collect a long-service award. His boss had not seen him for years despite occupying the office opposite him. Mr Garcia denied the allegations and said he was a victim of bullying because of his family’s politics. But a court in the Spanish city of Cadiz rejected his claims and ordered him to pay the fine.

The manager of Aguas de Cádiz thought I was at City Hall and City Hall thought I was there

Joaquin Garcia explains his absence

Mr Garcia, who was in charge of the building of a waste water treatment plant, was paid €37,000 a year before tax by a water company run by local authorities. His absence went unnoticed because no one was sure who was supervising him. But the deputy mayor realised what was happening as he was about to receive plaque for 20 years’ service. His fine was equivalent to one year’s salary after tax and was the most that the company could legally reclaim. The 69-year-old, who claimed he did go to the office part-time, has since retired.

Odd News