The Workplace Relations Commission found Lidl deputy manager Arkadiusz Grzyb was unfairly dismissed and directed Lidl Ireland Gmbh to pay him €17,596.12 for financial loss. The WRC also directed the company to pay four weeks’ notice worth €3,615.40. The decision was dated 30 May 2022.
Grzyb was dismissed in March 2021 after Lidl found he had breached cash management, write-off and inventory procedures. He said he believed the “waste not” practice used for other goods could also apply to bakery items. Lidl said its procedures were clear and that Grzyb had acknowledged the breaches and apologised.
The adjudication officer found the dismissal disproportionate, saying there had been little consideration of Grzyb’s explanation, evidence that staff were unclear about the discounting practice, his good service and the low value of the goods. The manager who dismissed him had not considered other available sanctions. The officer found Grzyb had contributed to his dismissal and reduced the financial-loss award on that basis.