Chapter 3: Chapter 3 Isn't this extortion? (Please follow, please vote)
Upon reviewing the string of numbers one more time, Ma Yao raised her head with a blank look and said, "Tang Fangjing, are you sure there's no mistake in this figure? Over six hundred thousand in overtime pay?"
It wasn't simply because the number was too large, in fairness, although she hadn't been on the Labor Arbitration Committee for long, she had heard of those exorbitant severance payments.
But those cases either involved exceptionally high salaries, or very long years of service, and often they were severance or compensation paid after leaving the job!
She had never heard of two years' worth of overtime reaching this level…
Compared to this, double severance pay for dismissal seemed like a drizzle.
Upon hearing this, Tang Fangjing pointed to a pile of documents and said, "The figure is accurate, six hundred and eighty-three thousand two hundred and thirteen yuan and five jiao, all calculated in detail, and you can check."
As Ma Yao began flipping through the documents, she replied, "But based on this application, you've only worked at this company for two years, how could you have such high… wait, did you calculate this using after-hours communication on WeChat and DingTalk?"
In reviewing the materials, Ma Yao finally saw the basis for the calculation.
"Yes, the evidence I've provided can prove that over the past two years, whether it was on weekdays, weekends, or holidays, I always had to work using various communication apps…"
However, before Tang Fangjing could finish speaking, he was interrupted.
"But this… does using WeChat to reply to messages after work count as overtime?"
It wasn't surprising that she had such a doubt, as such a question was truly beyond what a staff member of the Labor Arbitration Committee could determine.
Though our country is not one governed by case law, that doesn't mean that precedents are useless; otherwise, why would the high courts issue so many guiding cases?
The reaction was not unexpected for Tang Fangjing.
Just as he had thought, following established practices wouldn't lead to major issues. On the contrary, rash changes could create problems.
After all, he had never expected the Labor Arbitration Committee to make a determination on the matter anyway.
Therefore, Tang Fangjing simply stated, "The situation is just like that, and my claim includes this too. Just make sure to expedite it, as I'm really pressed for time."
Upon hearing this, Ma Yao frowned and stood up, calling out, "Sister Wang, Sister Wang, come over here."
"Take a look at this application. He claims that frequent communication via WeChat outside of work hours, and on rest days, should count as overtime. What do you think…"
The woman called Sister Wang was taken aback by the materials but soon said, "He insists on this claim, right? Then just proceed normally."
Ma Yao nodded, sat down, and said, "Tang Fangjing, right? Well, let me tell you, we've received the materials now and will notify you after we have a verdict. You may go back for now."
As she watched Tang Fangjing leave without any hesitation, Ma Yao curiously asked, "Sister Wang, do you think this claim will be supported? I've never encountered anything like it before."
Sister Wang pursed her lips and said, "It's going to be tough here. I think some lawyer has trapped him. Look at this pile of materials; the lawyer's fees definitely aren't a small figure!"
Soon enough, these application materials began circulating within the committee. There had been similar applications in the past.
Yet those were obviously fabricated for show, as labor arbitration does not charge fees, and some people just write whatever they want.
These materials, however, were truly detailed, with clear records of how many hours of overtime, evidence of the overtime, as well as the computations for the overtime pay!
Now there was only one question left: does communication through communication apps outside of work hours count as overtime?
On Tang Fangjing's end, he wasn't doing anything else but focusing on preparing for this year's legal exam.
Yes, that's right, Old Tang, who was a renowned lawyer in his past life, still had to prepare for the law exam, which was actually quite normal.
Not to mention predicting the examiners' mindset, just considering, for instance, if you've been married for ten years and are suddenly asked to take a test on criminal law — especially on marginal, complex, difficult cases you'd never encounter in daily practice…
Failing the test is just too normal.
As for those so-called famous lawyers thinking they'll just breeze through, just listen and forget about it…
In such an atmosphere, a week flew by in a flash.
Inside Jingzhou City's Bluebird Internet Management Co., Ltd., harmony still prevailed.
During this time, Manager Liu was very happy. It proved that those troublemakers needed to be dealt with swiftly and decisively!
The effect was very good. Now no one in his department dared to get angry. They had to communicate with clients in the evening, so what? Replying to a message, so what? They were all spoiled!
It was another Monday morning meeting, and Manager Liu spoke with a profoundly earnest face.
"Think about it, would the company harm you? When you go home, don't you all play on your phones? Watching videos, reading novels, playing games, at your age, learning more wouldn't hurt, you know."
"Moreover, young people need to endure hardships. Look at our General Hu, look at General Wang, which one of them didn't suffer when they were young? They all made it through like that. Did you know General Hu only slept three hours a day when he was young?"
"Alright, I won't say any more unnecessary words. As someone who's been there, I'm telling you, young people really shouldn't prioritize money. Don't keep mentioning money. If you learn skills, you'll have plenty of opportunities to make money, you know. Alright, disperse."
Alas, who knows when it started, but there's been an unhealthy trend in society. Money's on everyone's lips, even fresh graduates talk about how much money they have or don't have.
Some people even clamor for overtime pay. It's not like the old days…
Just then, a security guard called from the door: "Manager Liu, Manager Liu, there's a document here from the Labor Arbitration Committee. They've delivered it."
Huh? The words "Labor Arbitration Committee" instantly grabbed everyone's attention. Manager Liu turned around and said, "What are you standing around for? Get back to work. The company isn't paying you to gawk!"
After he finished speaking, he walked over to the security guard. Looking at the young man in uniform, he asked, "From the Labor Arbitration Committee delivering documents?"
The young man nodded and handed over a copy of the application, saying, "We also need to notify you that within ten days of receiving this, you need to submit a written response. If you don't submit…"
Manager Liu took the copy of the application, furrowed his brow, and his face turned pale as he shouted, "Over six hundred thousand in overtime pay?"
He was genuinely shocked, which was why he shouted so loudly that even the employees from other departments heard it.
Moreover, that figure, coupled with 'overtime pay', was too eye-catching, attracting many onlookers.
Without regard for anything else, Manager Liu turned to the young man and shouted, "What does this mean? What is this about, the Labor Arbitration Committee charging over six hundred thousand for overtime pay? Isn't this extortion? And you're bringing it to us?"
This truly wasn't a small sum, and the key issue was that Tang Fangjing was the one he had fired!
But how could Tang Fangjing dare to do this? How could he have the audacity to demand so much?
The staff member from the Labor Arbitration Committee simply stated, "I'm just here to deliver documents. Don't yell at me. There are legal regulations for this process, please sign the receipt."
Manager Liu was about to say something more when General Wang walked over, frowning, and said, "Old Liu, what's all the shouting for? Six hundred thousand in overtime pay? What are you doing?"
Manager Liu hurriedly said, "General Wang, see for yourself. That Tang Fangjing has filed for labor arbitration, demanding over six hundred thousand in overtime pay!"
General Wang was equally stunned, especially after seeing that the overtime in question was for after-hours communication.
Nevertheless, he managed to stay calm and only said, "Alright, we'll sign it. Old Liu, don't be so flustered. You think such an outrageous claim will be supported? That's a joke."
Manager Liu also slowly calmed down. He was initially shocked by the figure, even though he had argued with Tang Fangjing once. Tang was still seen as an honest person...
"The other side is just using these gimmicks to get money. When you go there, tell him he'll get something if he speaks nicely. If not, let him wait."
No one took it seriously. It was just a young person, who knows if it was from watching too many short videos.
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