KYOTO — A local resident sued a Hokkaido-based music box store operator on Nov. 20, saying the company demoted him and transferred him to a subsidiary after he requested a limit on his hours of work to care for their child, in accordance with company regulations.

The man in his thirties, who works at a music box store in Kyoto, claims the treatment he received is illegal and constitutes “paternity harassment”. He is seeking confirmation of his employment status and compensation for damages from Orgel Doh Holdings based in Otaru, Hokkaido.

According to the complaint filed with the Kyoto District Court, the plaintiff was employed by the holding company in December 2022 when he requested a restriction on night work based on the company’s internal regulations to limit business travel night shift for childcare reasons. His boss then informed him by telephone of a demotion. When he consulted the company’s harassment office, the supervisor criticized him, saying, “It’s your fault for not preparing the ground in advance.” He says the company president chastised him, saying, “If you want to focus on your child’s education, you should quit.” »

He was also forced to issue a written apology, claiming he had caused confusion in relevant departments, and was forced to sign and put his seal on a transfer agreement to a subsidiary after he was told says: “If you don’t sign, you will be fired. “The plaintiff subsequently developed a mental health problem and took approximately one year’s leave from work beginning in April 2023.

The man described his experience as “a very painful ordeal, without knowing how to defend himself. It was a year and a half of suffering.” Orgel Doh Holdings declined to comment on the matter, citing that the company has not received the complaint.

(Japanese original by Saki Hidaka, Kyoto Office)