Early arrival backfires: Woman fired for arriving 40 minutes early, court sides with company

Most workplaces expect employees to be on time, and getting in early is usually a plus. But in Alicante, Spain, a young worker found that arriving too early can backfire. She lost her job, not because of her work, but because she kept ignoring her employer’s rules about office hours.The employee, 22, had a habit of arriving around 6.45 am, well before her official start at 7.30 am. Sometimes she even tried to log in to the company system through an app before reaching the office. At first, it might seem like dedication, but her boss had asked her repeatedly not to start before the official time, and it soon became a concern rather than a compliment.

Warnings ignored

She received both verbal and written warnings over time, but her routine didn’t change.

The court later noted that her early arrivals were not about commitment; they were about ignoring clear instructions from her employer, according to The Metro.

Breaking trust

Things got worse after the employer said she had sold a used company car battery without permission. Small as it might seem, it added to the picture of someone who wasn’t following the rules. The early arrivals combined with this incident, led to her dismissal.

Court sides with the company

According to The Metro, the employee challenged her firing at the Social Court of Alicante, claiming it was unfair. The court, however, said the issue was not that she came in early, but that she repeatedly refused to follow workplace rules. Spanish labor law considers ongoing disobedience and breaking trust to be serious misconduct. The court ruled in favour of the employer.

Takeaways

The case is a reminder that workplace rules exist for a reason. Good intentions, like coming in early, don’t replace following instructions. Employers can enforce policies, and repeatedly ignoring them can have serious consequences. Trust and following rules remain key in any workplace.As per the report, the employee can still appeal to the Supreme Court of Valencia. For now, the Alicante court’s decision stands, showing that even well-meaning actions need to respect office guidelines.Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)