A dispute over a hotdog and wine gums has cost the country's biggest cinema complex a packet.

Adelphi Carlton Ltd, trading as Cineworld Cinemas in Dublin, has been ordered to pay one of its employees €20,000 after it was judged to have fired him unfairly.

Carl Meade had worked as a Multi-Functional Operator with the cinema group for three years before losing his job after buying a hot dog and packet of sweets at the complex on April 6, 2012.

His Operations Manager noted that while Mr Meade had signed his receipt to avail of the 40pc staff discount, he had paid for a regular hotdog, but received a more costly large hotdog.

The receipt also showed that he had received a packet of Maltesers but had paid for wine gums. The total difference in price, taking the 40pc discount into account, was €1.

Mr Meade told the Employment Appeals Tribunal that it was an honest mistake and he felt the sanction of dismissal was disproportionate.

The Operations Manager told the hearing that any discrepancy between what was signed for by the staff member and the actual goods received was viewed as a breach of policy. It was considered gross misconduct and merited dismissal.

The Tribunal found he was unfairly dismissed and awarded €20,000.

Irish Independent