Sharon Smiley, Fired For Working Through Lunch, Wins Court Case

Woman Who Was Fired For Working Through Lunch Wins Court Case

ABC News reports Smiley was fired in January of 2010 from her job at a Chicago real estate company after she skipped her lunch break and continued working.

While she was initially denied unemployment benefits, a state appeals court has ruled that denying Smiley those benefits was "clearly erroneous," according to ABC News. Smiley represented herself in court.

Even though Smiley did clock out while she continued to work through lunch, Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. challenged her right to unemployment benefits, saying she was fired for insubordination.

In December, Smiley finally got a new full-time job as a receptionist at a Chicago advertising firm, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Smiley was thrilled to tell her fellow church-goers about her new job.

"Everyone just stood up and clapped for me," she told the Tribune. "Everybody was giving me hugs and telling me congratulations and everything."

Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Huffington Post.

Perhaps Smiley's case will provide hope for a Target manager Jason Kellner who also claims he was fired for working through lunch. His case is still pending.

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