A Japanese city official lost half a day’s salary for repeatedly leaving his desk three minutes early for lunch break, The Japan Times reported on Thursday.

A city spokesperson said the official, who works at the waterworks bureau in Kobe, began his designated lunch break early 26 times over a period of seven months. “The lunch break is from noon to 1 pm,” the spokesperson said on Thursday. “He left his desk before the break.” The bureau docked half a day’s pay as punishment.

“It’s deeply regrettable that this misconduct took place,” a waterworks bureau official told reporters. “We’re sorry,” he said, bowing in apology. The worker violated a public service law that states officials have to concentrate on their jobs, said the official.

In February, an official was suspended for a month after he had left his office numerous times to buy a ready-made lunch box during work hours. The official was absent a total of 55 hours over six months.

Several people on Twitter criticised the punishment.