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A Saskatchewan judge has overturned an arbitration board ruling in favour of three university cafeteria workers who were fired for stealing soup while working, and taking gravy and expired fruit cups home, then denying it.

Staffers Tammy, Sandra and Teddy were fired from the University of Saskatchewan’s Department of Culinary Services on March 15, 2012 after another employee reported seeing them taking food “contrary to the Employee Food Policy.”

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Employees get a 60% discount on some food at work, but only if it is consumed during work hours and in public areas, the policy says.

Staff are entitled to snacks, but that does not include soup at the agri-bio location where the three were employed.

“Removing food from any location is considered theft unless it has been paid for in full with no discount,” according to the policy.

Removing food from any location is considered theft unless it has been paid for in full

The fired employees admitted they knew about the policy, but thought the soup rule unfair. So they would take little bowlfuls on a “number of occasions” stretching out over a year.