Bautch v. Red Owl Stores, Inc.

TODD, Justice.

Debra Bautch, a restaurant employee of Red Owl Stores, Inc., was discharged for failure to abide by a company regulation prohibiting employees from eating or drinking restaurant supplies without paying for them. Bautch claimed the company had condoned such practices and sued for wrongful discharge. A jury awarded her damages. We affirm.

The facts are not in dispute. Bautch was hired as a waitress in the restaurant facility of Red Owl’s Hibbing store. She became a member of the union. At the time of her employment, it was customary for restaurant employees, including the…