A Tesco security guard unfairly dismissed for not paying for crisps and a mineral while on duty has been awarded €32,000 by the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
John Purcell, Griffith Close, Finglas, an employee of the retailer for eight years, said he was working a night shift when, on his break at the nearby Tesco petrol station, he told the assistants he left his wallet in the main store and would return to pay for the items he consumed.
Returning to the main store, he said he “totally forgot” about the items until his manager showed him CCTV footage. Suspended on full pay pending an investigation, Mr Purcell did not deny eating the items but said he had forgotten to pay. He was later dismissed.
The tribunal found Tesco did not carry out disciplinary procedures in a fair manner.