In a stunning display of boldness, a Spanish water treatment worker failed to turn up for work for “at least” six years, and was only caught after becoming eligible for a long-service award.
Joaquin Garcia’s job was to supervise a water treatment plant, but he claimed that there was no work for him to do there so he didn’t go, reports BBC.
Mr Garcia alleges he was a victim of bullying due to his parents political leanings and was moved to the quiet post as a result.
Mr Garcia was fined $30,000, or the equivalent to one year’s pay, after his eligibility for a long-service award drew attention to his absence.
The court heard that his boss at the water company had not seen the man for years despite his office being opposite his.
The water company thought the local authorities supervised Mr Garcia, and the authorities thought the water company was in charge so the mix up allowed him to slip through the system, while he actually wiled his hours reading philosophy books.
