A young Spanish office worker has lost her job for what might seem an unlikely reason - turning up to work far too early on a persistent basis.
The 22-year-old employee was dismissed after repeatedly arriving approximately 40 minutes ahead of her scheduled shift, despite being told numerous times since 2023 to stop doing so.
Her employer ultimately terminated her contract on grounds of serious misconduct, arguing that her consistent early appearances served no productive purpose and demonstrated a clear disregard for management instructions.
The worker challenged her dismissal at the Social Court of Alicante, claiming the decision was unfair.
But the tribunal sided with her ex-boss, finding that her behaviour constituted a significant breach of workplace rules.
The woman's shift was meant to begin at 7.30am, yet she tended to show up between 6.45am and 7am, leaving her with nothing to occupy her time before her duties started.
Despite receiving clear instructions that she was prohibited from clocking in or prior to her designated start time, she maintained her dawn arrivals.
Her employer grew increasingly frustrated as the pattern continued.
The worker challenged her dismissal at the Social Court of Alicante (pictured)
|On certain occasions, the worker tried to register her attendance through the company's app even before she had physically arrived at the premises.
Her boss claimed her persistent early-bird behaviour meant she was failing to make any kind of meaningful contribution.
At the tribunal, judges were presented with evidence that the woman had continued her routine despite receiving multiple verbal and written warnings from her employer.
After a string of formal cautions, she came into work early at least 19 more times.
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The worker was prohibited from clocking in or commencing work prior to her designated start time
|GETTY
Her employer also raised a separate allegation concerning a breach of trust.
The company accused her of selling a used battery from a company vehicle without permission.
The court determined that this additional matter contributed to an overall pattern of disloyalty to her employer.
She had maintained throughout proceedings that her dismissal was unjustified - which was rejected by the tribunal.
The dismissed worker is able to launch a further appeal to the Supreme Court of Valencia
|GETTY
In its judgement, the court emphasised that the central issue was not the woman's early starts but rather her persistent refusal to comply with orders.
Her defiance, the tribunal ruled, constituted a serious violation under Article 54 of the Spanish Workers' Statute, which governs disciplinary dismissals in Spanish employment law.
On social media, some commentators had voiced their shock that arriving early could result in a sacking.
But employment experts said companies are within their rights to enforce strict attendance policies once these have been clearly communicated to staff.
The judgement currently stands, though the sacked worker is able to pursue a further appeal to the Supreme Court of Valencia.
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