A woman is suing a cleaning company after reportedly being fired for eating a sandwich that was left out on the counter.
39-year-old Gabriela Rodriquez, 39, has been accused of theft by her cleaning contractor Total Clean. It comes after she allegedly took a sandwich from a leftover platter while working at Devonshires Solicitors in London, UK.
The single mom, who earned $16.46 an hour, has been accused of taking “client property… without authority or reasonable excuse” when eating a leftover sandwich, worth $1.89.
UVW Union campaigners for migrant workers protested her being fired from the company and marched outside the solicitors’ offices with 100 cans of tuna and 300 sandwiches.
The union is appealing her dismissal and wrote in an open letter: “There were various full trays of leftover sandwiches that had been laid out for staff to eat.
“Gabriela understood she was also allowed to eat this food.
“It is so incredibly far beyond the realms of reasonableness and comprehension to dismiss an employee for eating a leftover tuna and cucumber sandwich.
“We now understand that the privilege of eating leftover sandwiches perhaps does not extend to the outsourced migrant workforce in the building.”
UVW general secretary Petros Elia added: “Cleaners are routinely dismissed on trivial and, we argue, discriminatory, grounds like this every day around the country.
“Many describe feeling treated like the dirt they clean, and Gabriela is one of them.”
Gabriela was apparently told by her boss, Graham Petersen: “At the hearing your explanation was that you found a sandwich in the kitchen near the end of your shift and took it without giving it a second thought.
“You stated that previously the client had left food in the kitchen and offered it out, so you thought it was fine.
“I considered your explanation to be unsatisfactory because you confirmed that no one had offered you the food in the kitchen but decided to take it anyway.
“I have decided that your conduct has resulted in a fundamental breach of your contractual terms which irrevocably destroys the trust and confidence necessary to continue the employment relationship.”
Total Clean said in a statement: “It is important to us to maintain the integrity of our workforce and service by ensuring we deal appropriately with any actions that undermine the hard work and reputation of our incredible team who conduct themselves impeccably.
“Trust and honesty is of paramount importance.
“All steps taken have been in accordance with UK employment law following the proper investigative and disciplinary process. We will be making no further comment on the matter.”
A spokesperson for Devonshires added: “Devonshires did not make a formal complaint against Gabriela and expressly told Total Clean not to take any against her.
“Total Clean carried out their own investigation and the decision to dismiss Gabriela was taken without any input or influence from Devonshires whatsoever.
“This is a private matter between Total Clean and Gabriela but we have made clear to Total Clean that we would not object, as we never have done, to Gabriela attending and working on our premises if Total Clean changes its position.”
