Jude Roedding

The grievor, a senior part-time employee at the LCBO, was discharged for cashing four cheques totalling $7,000 without authorization and knowing he had insufficient funds.

The grievor claimed his actions were driven by a gambling addiction and threats from a loan shark.

The Grievance Settlement Board found that the employer had just cause for discharge, as the thefts were premeditated and constituted a serious breach of trust in a retail environment.

The Board declined to mitigate the penalty, finding the grievor lacked credibility, failed to demonstrate genuine remorse, and had not taken meaningful steps toward rehabilitation for his gambling addiction.