The legal battle between a 38-year-old manager and the fast-food giant. McDonald's It came to an end in Rovereto, in northern Italy.
The case, which began in September 2024, ended. with the total defeat of the companywho was trying to charge the employee a fortune for ending his shift early on a chaotic night.
The scene: a packed dining room and an empty kitchen.
It all began on September 9, 2024, the start date of the school year in Italy.
The restaurant was packed with families celebrating their children's first day of school. The manager, realizing that the assigned staff was insufficient to guarantee safety and service quality, sent alerts to management via... WhatsApp early in the evening.
Having received no response from superiors, the professional made a management decision: The salon closed at 22 PM. — two hours before the official time — and maintained only the Drive-Thru service.
The company's "revenge"
The network's response was aggressive: dismissal for cause within two weeks and a lawsuit demanding payment. 70.000 Euros (around R$ 448.000) of the worker, according to Corriere della Sera.
The company claimed that the early closure caused "irreparable damage to the brand image" and loss of revenue.
The ruling: "bad faith and excessive request"
When reviewing the case in March 2026, Judge Michele Cuccaro, of Rovereto Labor CourtThe judge dismissed the multinational's arguments. According to the magistrate, the manager acted to protect the operation in the face of the company's own negligence in providing qualified personnel.
The verdict was merciless:
Extra punishment: Considering the process an attempt at intimidation, the judge imposed an additional fine of € 3.000 by bad faith litigation (Article 96 of the Italian Code of Civil Procedure) — a very rare conviction in Italy.
Reintegration: The employee should be reinstated to their position immediately.
Indemnity: McDonald's was ordered to pay € 32.000 in retroactive salaries and related charges.
The manager, who is now preparing to return to work, is bringing an end to a nearly two-year cycle of uncertainty. For the food and service sector in Italy, the message is clear: profit cannot come before the dignity and technical viability of work.
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