Taiwan coast guard fired after running seafood restaurant while on 10-month paid sick leave

A coast guard in Taiwan has been fired for using his paid sick leave to run seafood barbecue restaurants.

He was a member of the 16th Coast Guard Squadron of the Fleet Branch of the Coast Guard Administration.

Adjustment disorder

TTV News Network reported that Lin, 29, had taken sick leave for over 10 months.

On Nov. 21, 2024, Lin presented a diagnosis from a public hospital stating that he required long-term home rest.

He then requested sick leave three times on the grounds of an "anxiety-depression adjustment disorder".

Paid sick leave

From the beginning of his sick leave, Lin received a monthly salary of NT$56,000 (S$2,367).

Including the year-end bonus, the total salary he could have received was NT$600,000 (S$25,363).

Barbecue restaurants

In the past year, Lin opened two seafood barbecue restaurants, according to TTV News Network.

They are located in northwestern Taiwan's Hsinchu, along the coast of the Taiwan Strait.

In addition, Lin reportedly organised a buying group with over 3,700 members where he used social media platforms to generate substantial income.

However, when his activities came to light, the Coast Guard Administration's Fleet Branch determined that he had indeed taken sick leave and worked part-time.

The administration then issued Lin two major demerits and dismissed him from his position.

Violation of Civil Service Act

Taiwan's public broadcast service, PTS, reported that the prosecutor's office is also investigating the case.

The Director of the Coast Guard Fleet Division said Lin's behaviour damaged the reputation and image of the agency.

According to PTS, the "Leave Rules for Civil Servants" states that if a person suffers a serious injury or illness that cannot be cured quickly, they may be granted sick leave, personal leave, or other types of leave.

Once all these are used up, they may request an extension of their sick leave with approval from their agency.

However, the combined sick leave cannot exceed one year within a two-year period.

An adjunct professor in the Department of Public Affairs at Taipei University stated that working a full-time job outside the government while on sick leave constitutes a complete violation of the Civil Service Act.

Top photos via TTV News Network, PTS