The Labor Arbitration Committee, within the arbitration court, Supervisor Liu and the company's legal advisor Elder Zhang were chatting.
"Supervisor Liu, I've seen plenty of employees like Tang Fangjing, all of them just look things up online and then boldly ask for money. If it were really that simple, why would we need lawyers, right?"
"You stay quiet when the time comes, I'll talk to him. He's just trying to get more money with all this fuss; we see people like him all the time. Look, he didn't even bring a lawyer, which shows he never planned to go to court."
Elder Zhang said with confidence.
Supervisor Liu nodded; indeed, he knew exactly what sort of person Tang Fangjing was—innocently honest and completely uninvolved with the law, so surely he must have come for mediation.
Of course, Elder Zhang had seen the other party's evidentiary materials, but he only looked at the beginning a little. As for the specific evidence and calculations, he hadn't looked at those at all.
Because he was convinced that this kind of "occasional communication" outside of work hours would never be considered overtime.
There was no such principle; by that logic, could a boss not even send a message to a subordinate after work?
So the two waited, and soon, the door to the arbitration court was pushed open, and two people came in, one after the other.
Leading the way was Tang Fangjing, followed by the arbitrator for this session, Wang Xianglan.
Big Sister Wang was a very experienced arbitrator, having worked in arbitration for many years and accumulating a wealth of experience.
Upon entering, she smiled and said, "Ah, both parties are here. Well then, let's not wait any longer; let's just get started."
"I've looked over your dispute too, and it doesn't seem particularly troublesome. Let's mediate if we can. Come, let the applicant speak first about your thoughts."
In Big Sister Wang's eyes, it was indeed not very complicated because she felt the other party's demand for overtime pay was out of spite, and this was basically not going to be supported.
Tang Fangjing glanced at Supervisor Liu opposite him and said, "My thoughts are those outlined in my application. As long as they meet my demands, I'm open to mediation."
Although Tang Fangjing himself wasn't too keen on mediation, one had to admit that it was indeed a major saver of social resources.
The grassroots level is always extremely tough; with a thousand demands from above and only one point of execution below, all the work has to be handled, making mediation naturally of utmost importance.
Before Big Sister Wang could respond, Supervisor Liu opposite her couldn't help himself and blurted out, "What wishful thinking, you think returning a few messages after work counts as overtime?"
At this, Tang Fangjing hurriedly asked, "Does that mean you definitely don't agree with the condition?"
"That's absolutely impossible. You're just after money, aren't you? I'm telling you, if you had talked nicely, it might have been a different story..."
However, Supervisor Liu was interrupted by Tang Fangjing before he could finish, "Comrade Arbitrator, you heard him say it's absolutely impossible, so mediation has failed. Let's just start arbitration."
Big Sister Wang: "..."
Elder Zhang: "..."
Big Sister Wang was taken aback; she had prepared to have a good talk with both parties, make them feel understood, and then persuade them to take a step back each. If mediated successfully, that would be the end of the matter.
As for Elder Zhang, he wanted to roll his eyes. He told you not to speak just a moment ago.
Only Supervisor Liu was left dumbfounded. This wasn't right; wasn't this guy supposed to be trying to get more money through mediation?
Despite this turn of events, Big Sister Wang still wanted to make one last effort.
"Little Tang, that's what I'll call you. You're about the same age as my son. Young people, when they first start out in society, always feel this or that isn't right, but this is reality."
"You yourself must know that your claim for overtime pay isn't realistic, right? So, I suggest both sides take a step back. The company can offer a little more in compensation, and you can save the trouble and peacefully look for another job, right?"
Truth be told, Tang Fangjing was aware that Big Sister Wang the Arbitrator really had his best interests at heart—saving time and effort, and the money he'd receive wouldn't be too little.
But he couldn't accept it, not because Tang Fangjing was too particular, but because... he needed a sense of completion!
Therefore, Tang Fangjing spoke up directly, "No need to say anymore, unless they agree to my terms, I definitely won't agree to mediation, just like that."
Upon hearing this, Sister Wang said with a helpless face, "This young man, why are you so stubborn!"
"Do you want to apply for an extension? Look, they even have legal personnel, while you are here all by yourself..."
"No need, thank you. Please proceed with the hearing immediately!"
For Tang Fangjing at this moment, wasting time was equivalent to wasting life!
Since he had already made up his mind, she had no choice but to proceed with arbitration.
As arbitration was necessary, everything had to follow the procedures, involving an additional two arbitrators and a clerk.
While waiting, Manager Liu was apologizing to Elder Zhang, "Ah Elder Zhang, that was really… I just couldn't hold back, how could he say those words with such a thick face."
"And besides, wasn't he supposed to be mediating?"
On hearing this, Elder Zhang's face suddenly turned dark, but he still said, "Young people care about their reputation. Once provoked, they reject mediation. Just watch, today I'll show him what professional means!"
He was confident, although in the pecking order, legal personnel like him were basically at the bottom, but that didn't deter his confidence.
The hearing began, and Chief Arbitrator Sister Wang read out the court discipline, recusal rules, etc., and verified the identities of both parties.
An hour quickly passed, and Elder Zhang was very pleased as the arbitrator announced a recess.
Although he had known that the overtime pay claim was unlikely to be supported, he was still very proud.
He managed to dominate the floor, impressively speaking at length, although the other party didn't say much in return...
One can't really say that, the opposing party did speak a bit regarding the severance compensation issue. It seems they understood that the overtime pay was just a diversionary tactic.
After confirming that both parties disagreed with mediation, the arbitration court issued a decision then and there.
Different from what Tang Fangjing had expected, his severance compensation was not fully supported, receiving n+1 rather than the 2n he had demanded.
And the amount was not substantial.
As for the overtime pay... Tang Fangjing shook his head as he looked at the content written on the paper.
In lawsuits, he always adhered to the principle of "knocking out" the opponent in one go!
In his previous life, the lawsuit had continued up to the second trial before it was supported. This time, he was confident he could end the battle at the first trial!
Elder Zhang was very self-assured, which was great. He liked confident people and even more so he enjoyed watching those confident people rendered speechless...
The arbitration decision was in hand, and since it exceeded the standard, this was a general ruling, meaning the company also had the right to file a lawsuit.
Manager Liu, looking at the arbitration decision, was very happy, approaching to say, "Tang, see, I really didn't want it to be like this, but there's no helping it, the law is the law, I can't possibly... hey Tang, Tang!"
But he found that Tang Fangjing wasn't listening at all, standing up and leaving straight away with a joyful expression on his face, mumbling something like "finally completed the procedures."
What's with this kid? His demands were hardly met, yet he seemed very pleased?
Elder Zhang and Sister Wang were unaware that just half an hour later, at the filing window of the Bright District Court, Tang Fangjing handed in a thick stack of materials.
"Hello, I'd like to file a case. I've completed all procedures, please hurry up a bit, I'm really pressed for time!"