Lidl Employee Fired After 10 Years for Unpaid 17p Water Consumption

A Lidl employee was dismissed after more than ten years of service due to an incident involving unpaid water consumption. The case, which took place at the Wincanton branch, sparked an employment tribunal to review the circumstances surrounding his termination.

Background of the Incident

Julian Oxborough, the employee in question, consumed a bottle of water valued at 17p during his shift on July 19, 2024. He claimed that dehydration prompted his actions while he was at the checkout. The incident unfolded when a customer attempted to purchase a water bottle that lacked a barcode, exchanging it for one that was properly labeled and leaving the original at the till.

Details of the Dismissal

After consuming the abandoned bottle of water, Mr. Oxborough continued to serve customers. The following day, a store manager noticed the empty bottle and suspected that its consumption violated company policy. A review of CCTV footage led to an investigation into the incident.

Investigation Findings

• Mr. Oxborough claimed he was worried about dehydration.
• He stated he avoided his drink because it was overly concentrated.
• He initially believed the multipack bottle could be considered as written off.

During the investigation, he admitted to not paying for the bottle, saying, “I think I may have forgot or can’t actually remember taking it.” Though he insisted he had no dishonest intentions, he eventually acknowledged that his actions were wrong.

Tribunal Ruling

Area manager Karina Moon, who handled the disciplinary process, expressed concerns regarding Mr. Oxborough’s contradictory statements. She questioned why he did not simply access tap water and noted that he had several days to report the incident voluntarily but failed to do so. Ultimately, she concluded that dismissal was the appropriate response.

Conclusion and Aftermath

The employment tribunal convened in Southampton in October 2025. Judge Yallop upheld Lidl’s decision to terminate Mr. Oxborough, dismissing his claims of unfair dismissal. A spokesperson for Lidl emphasized the company’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding the consumption of unpaid stock. The spokesperson stated, “We would never take the decision to dismiss a long-serving colleague lightly.”