Being hungry while at work is second nature to human beings and eating doughnuts is no crime either. But one man was axed for consuming dough-based sweets while still on shift. Bizarre, right? The employee, David Graham was disappointed at the company's decision to sack him, reports METRO. 

The 28-year-old man, who hails from Westbourne near Bournemouth, joined Parkstone's Waitrose in 2017. But the employee now labeled the supermarket chain as "hypocrites" as the company didn't follow the rules they set which left him immensely frustrated. According to Graham's statement, the doughnut he ate was destined to be chucked in the dustbin. He was annoyed at the amount of food wastage the supermarket chain was involved in and as a "food wastage protest," he binged on the sugary food. Fair enough. But was it fair on the company's part? 

Graham explained, "Throughout my time at the store, I have been disheartened by the level of food waste that was generated that wasn't offered to charity or the employees, known as partners, who own the John Lewis Partnership." He also added that the day company issued his termination, he was hungry and needed a quick 'sugar hit.' So he devoured the (perfectly ok) doughnuts that were being thrashed in the waste bin, thinking it was a harmless thing to do. But it turned out to be the very reason Waitrose got rid of him. Graham added, "My first memory of working at the store was seeing four large chickens on a Saturday night going down to the bins." He also shared the company's policy on managing food wastage. He said when he joined them, the company would give the leftover food either to a charity or to the employees with a 70/30 percent split.

But now he claimed that they changed their policy and all the food gets dumped in the dustbin, including the food that was not rotten. The ex-employee shared they changed the policy in December 2022 based on a new national rule. The updated rule said, "Any waste still on the shelves at 9 pm had to be binned." Graham has now accused the supermarket of 'mismatching its messaging.' He also used this incident as a way to protest against food wastage. 

He continued, "Being hungry and frustrated, I decided the only way to begin a conversation was to protest by continuing to eat the food waste doughnuts." To be caught was also a part of his plan, as he wanted the supermarket owners to realize their mistake. "I expected to be caught, I expected a conversation to start on how to reinstate the perk and reduce the other food waste, and I even considered they may take it to a final warning," Graham added. Waitrose investigated the case twice, for over three highly stressful weeks and found Graham guilty of food theft. The decision left Graham greately disheartened. "I am disappointed by the actions of the Parkstone store, and I am sure their customers will also be saddened to hear this story. Ultimately they have sacked a long-serving employee over a jam doughnut."

He expressed, "Ideally, I would like to work here for six more months but this could be a blessing in disguise." Although, Waitrose condemned Graham's accusations and stated that they have "clear" rules for employees eating the stock. Graham is now focused on building his electronic and software start-up business and hopes the supermarket chain will learn a lesson.