La Redoute Worker Loses Legal Battle Over Clementine-Eating Suspension

"I find it outrageous, I’m in shock. The La Redoute sanction was already completely disproportionate, and now I feel like justice doesn’t exist," fumed Smaïl Bella, an order picker and CGT representative. He also lost 70% of his gross salary because of his attitude.

His version of the facts is somewhat different. Smaïl Bella said that it was after a breakdown that he had eaten a clementine, before depositing the peels on his workstation, "for lack of a trash can."

For its part, the management of La Redoute indicated that its employee with 15 years of service had eaten the citrus fruit in front of his workstation. As a result, it had noted a "potential deterioration of the production chain."

For now, Smaïl Bella still has trouble grasping the decision of the industrial tribunal.