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Worker Is Fired From Lidl For 'Working Too Hard' And Turning Up Early

Worker Is Fired From Lidl For 'Working Too Hard' And Turning Up Early

He did break rules, but this does seem a bit unfair.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

Discount supermarkets like Lidl are a different breed, as you can go in, pick up a steak, chips, a crate of beer and be out of there in two minutes.

It is fairly daunting when the cashier is swiping your items across the the till and you've barely had time to pull your wallet out before they're ushering you away and scanning the person behind you's stuff.

It's the way it is, really, and we wouldn't change it, but apparently there's such a thing as working too hard there.

Credit: PA

We've all seen it, employees stood around chatting rather than cleaning up a smashed jar of ragu, not caring people are having to step over it.

That might be encouraged though, as a former manager at a Lidl branch is suing them after he was fired for 'working too hard', the Mirror reports.

Named only as Jean P. by Spanish media in Barcelona he was reportedly turning up to work at 5am, doing normal duties like stacking shelves, checking prices and cleaning up.

Staff would turn up a few hours later after he'd already been grafting, but his graft allegedly breaches the store's rules banning unpaid overtime.

He was seen on CCTV, leading to him being accused of "very serious laboural unfulfillment".


Their rules state that he shouldn't be in a branch alone, and every minute he works should be clocked, which he wasn't doing.

However, an employment court heard that Lidl didn't actually tell the manager not to do what he was doing, leading him to believe that he wasn't in the wrong.

"He is sanctioned for working too much - something that is unusual - and also for making an effort to get the shop running properly," Jean's lawyer said.

"The heads of the supermarket knew this and were aware that these changes required time and dedication."

It does seem a bit odd that he should be punished for working too hard and ensuring the best business for his branch, but then again, rules are rules.

Credit: PA

I can't help but feel for the bloke, who will have had to have relinquish any sort of discount Lidl offers, which probably entitled him to a full big shop for £6.57.

Still, the case is still ongoing so the Spaniard could perhaps retain his job, and of course his discount card, or will be gone for good.

Jean, I'd say do what most wrestlers did in the early 2000s, jumping ship from WCW to WWE - go to Aldi.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Aldi, UK News, lidl, supermarket