The self-inflicted death of a Japanese man who worked as both a university researcher and adviser for a major aerial surveying company was recognized as work-related, Mainichi Shimbun reporting has uncovered, after accounting for stress caused by working multiple jobs according to a law revised in 2020.

The man worked at Gifu University, where it is believed he was given strict commands by a superior, while also being isolated at the company. Taking into account the total circumstances of both his working situations, the labor standards inspection office determined that the man had developed a heavy psychological burden before his suicide at the age of 60.

Under September 2020 updates to the law that defines workplace accident compensation, a new system was introduced in which stress from multiple workplaces can be comprehensively considered to determine if an accident was work-related. While holding multiple jobs is being promoted as a way to deal with labor shortages and other issues, recognition of such incidents under the new system is rare.

According to bereaved relatives and a legal representative, the man was an engineer who specialized in the design and maintenance of bridges. Since December 2019, as a Gifu University researcher he had participated in a project to train bridge engineers in Africa. To secure income, around the same time he had entered Tokyo-based aerial surveying company Pasco Corp. as a mid-career employee.

At the university, he had been communicating in English with on-site staff, but an associate professor who was his superior criticized him in emails that said, among other things, "You're doing nothing but checking English. I'd like you to do some more challenging tasks," and, "The project is not moving forward." The associate professor also sometimes ignored the man's inquiries.

As a part-time adviser for Pasco, the man was in charge of surveys and inspections of bridges as contracted by local governments. He had no subordinates, and faced his duties single-handedly. He was also apparently approached about a reduced salary.

'Psychological toll from multiple duties'

As he continued to hold two jobs, the man's life came to an end in May 2021. In a notebook, he had written, "Nobody at the company sees my face."

The Nagoya Kita Labor Standards Inspection Office, which investigated the matter at the request of bereaved family members, considered the work conditions at both of the man's jobs. It found that his superior at Gifu University had directed him harshly and did not respect his position or respond appropriately to consultations from him. The inspection office also pointed out that Pasco had entrusted all the responsibility for the bridge surveys to the man and not provided appropriate feedback, deepening his isolation.

Considering all these factors, the office recognized that "he developed a mental disorder from the psychological burden of multiple duties." This April, it concluded that the man's death was work-related.

Both Pasco and Gifu University declined to comment, citing "protection of private information."

The bereaved are considering taking legal action to seek damages from both parties.

In accordance with the revised Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, the government compiled a policy that overtime hours will be calculated by combining both main and side jobs and that power harassment and other psychological stress factors at each workplace will also be comprehensively taken into consideration. Before the law was revised, factors would have been considered separately by each workplace.

The relatives' lawyer, Yoshihide Tachino of the Osaka Bar Association, said, "It is significant that the overall stress suffered at multiple workplaces was evaluated and the case was recognized as a work-related accident. Supervisors and others need to monitor employee health in light of that side jobs are being promoted and some in the workplace choose to do double work."

(Japanese original by Akihiko Tsuchida, Osaka City News Department)

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