Postal worker fired for filming women, minors loses lawsuit seeking reinstatement

A former postal worker in Tainan, surnamed Chen, has been denied his bid to be reinstated and receive severance pay after being fired for allegedly operating a hidden camera for 20 years to film women and minors.

The Tainan District Court upheld the decision by Chunghwa Post to terminate Chen's employment, ruling that his actions severely damaged public trust. Chen was accused of installing pinhole cameras in vehicles, hotels, and bathrooms at relatives' homes, capturing intimate details of 31 individuals, including adult women and children under 12.

Chunghwa Post stated that Chen's illegal behavior, which came to light through media reports last year, violated work regulations and eroded the safety and trust essential for postal workers who interact closely with the public daily. The company deemed his actions a breach of trust that justified the termination of his labor contract.

Chen had argued that the recorded footage was private and did not violate work rules, asserting that his dismissal based solely on media reports was disproportionate. He sought confirmation of his employment status, back pay, and severance, or a non-voluntary离职 certificate if the dismissal was deemed legal.

However, the court emphasized that Chunghwa Post, as a state-run enterprise, relies heavily on public confidence. Chen's prolonged and skillful use of hidden cameras, capturing private moments, exceeded societal tolerance and significantly harmed the company's image. The court concluded that it was unreasonable to expect the employer to maintain the employment relationship under these circumstances, thus validating the dismissal.