A hospital porter was sacked because of a misunderstanding over the payment for his breakfast, a union has claimed.
Aldren Tomlinson was allegedly dismissed from King George Hospital in Ilford, east London, for theft of facilities company Sodexo's property.
The GMB union said the company had not dealt with the "misunderstanding" over the £4 bacon and egg breakfast proportionately.
Sodexo confirmed an employee had been dismissed and said he could appeal.
'Clean record'
The union said the father-of-three had asked his colleagues in the staff canteen if he could pay for the breakfast later because he discovered he had left his wallet at home.
The canteen staff member allegedly said he did not hear Mr Tomlinson properly.
Michael Dooley, GMB local representative, said: "Aldren has a clean work record of 15 years and is now unemployed and branded a thief.
"It makes my blood boil when I see criminals and repeat shoplifters who do not even get prosecuted and here we have a decent bloke losing his livelihood with little prospects of new employment for a misunderstanding over a four quid breakfast."
A spokesperson for Sodexo said: "Any misconduct by an employee is addressed through our internal disciplinary procedure, and if an individual is not satisfied with the outcome they have the right to appeal the decision."
