Southall Cleaner Loses Tribunal

The 48-year-old told the tribunal that she had previously handed in valuable goods that she had found on planes and had planned to hand in the items later.

However, the panel decided that as cleaning company OCS (UK) Ltd's policy clearly stated zero tolerance to theft, her claims for unfair and wrongful dismissal must fail.

Employment judge Nicky Balogun said in a written judgement: "The respondent has what it describes as a zero tolerance policy to theft.

"The policy is in the employee handbook and is also publicised on staff notices and on the company's Intranet site.

"The policy prohibits the taking of any customer property, foodstuffs (including drinks) or customer 'give-aways' from aircraft or company locations.

"The policy provides that where such items are found they should be reported to the team leader, movement controller or duty manager immediately.

"The policy further provides that any contravention will lead to the staff member being suspended from duty immediately pending formal disciplinary action for gross misconduct."

Mrs Ghedu was arrested after she left the plane at Heathrow Airport on July 24, 2007, and was searched in a snap inspection.

She was questioned by police on suspicion of theft but charges against her were not pursued by the Crown Prosecution Service.

During the hearing, held at the tribunal centre in Reading, Berkshire in June, Mrs Ghedu - who spoke through a Punjabi interpreter - told of the shame she had experienced due to her arrest and sacking.

"The sense of shame I have had to go through is enormous, I took it as a great insult. For nine months I didn't even go to sign on for social security.

"This particular incident has affected me in a bad way. It is a stain against me and for fear of losing my respect I hardly step out of my house.

"I have committed no theft."

However, the panel decided that the company had followed its procedures in dismissing Mrs Ghedu after appeal.

"We are satisfied that the respondent carried out a reasonable investigation and therefore had reasonable grounds to sustain its belief in the claimant's guilt," said the judgement.

"The claimant had taken 'found items' off the aircraft without reporting them to her team leader in contravention of the respondent's policy.