Man skipped work for 6 years unnoticed

Employer finally discovered that one of his employees has been absent from work for six years without notifying anyone.

Joaquin Garcia, a 69-year-old engineer at a municipal water company in Cadiz, Spain was fined more than $30,300 (9 million Naira) after his employer discovered that he hadn't reported for work for six years while attempting to present him an award for 20 years of service.

His employers at the water company believed he was always at work, now knowing he has been missing at work for almost 6 years.

According to the BBC local newspapers Garcia was given the nickname "el funcionario fantasma" or "the phantom official" because he was never at the office.

Garcia said a combination of office bullying related to his family's politics and a lack of work for him to do at the water company ultimately caused his extended absence. He did not report these condition for fear of losing his job.

He did occasionally report to work for brief periods of time but spent his days at the office studying philosophy.

Garcia wrote to the mayor and requested to not pay the fine and is seeking a review of the court's ruling.

RELATED: Turkish businessman killed by assassin in broad daylight