A service station worker in the Netherlands has been fired and ordered to pay nearly €5,000 in fines and court costs after being caught stealing snacks from her workplace. The 45-year-old woman was dismissed on Christmas Eve last year following the discovery that she had consumed a toasted sandwich and taken four other items over the preceding four weeks.

The employer, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy on workplace theft, discovered the items taken included a meat croquette sandwich and a cheese brioche.

The woman challenged her dismissal in court, arguing it was excessively harsh and rendered her ineligible for unemployment benefits.

However, the district court in Bergen op Zoom upheld her dismissal and granted a counter-claim by the company, fining her six weeks’ wages for misconduct, totaling €3,864.90. She was additionally ordered to pay €1,057 in legal costs.

During the proceedings, the woman claimed she consumed the toasted sandwich to assess its suitability for sale. She stated that other items were paid for at a later date.

The court found insufficient evidence to support her claims, noting proof of repayment for only one sandwich and at a reduced price.

The worker argued that the company’s policy regarding employee consumption of store products was ambiguous, but her request for reinstatement was denied.