I was not surprised after read your thread here because I know some of problems like this here in Germany.
Something like that:
My hubby's co-worker was fired because he took a pen to home. He was caught by guards before leave company to home at few years ago.
Yes, guards can stop them for check if they want to. They found a pen in his case which they know the pen is not belong to him.
He claimed that he did not notice that he put a pen in his case by accidently. He was fired over that. He did sued and lost at the court.
Why?
Because he should not take something which it's not belong to him. It makes no difference either it's big or not.
I often read the people's stories in the magazines how they were fired over that little nonsense things.
I remember from read the magazine that a lady who work in the kitchen of the restaurant. They received overleft cakes from guests so the Chef throw overleft cakes away to rubbish bin which it's not first time. Chef said NO to her to take overleft cakes. She thought what a waste because the cake look good. Few days later she & her co-workers took some of overleft cakes to home. On next day after that she and her co-workers were accussed by Chef for "steal" overleft cakes. He fired them. They sued Chef and lost in the court.
Why they lost at the court?
BECAUSE
Chef answer:
He don't want to be responsible if one of his employees got ill or being "poison" after accept the overleft/non-use foods from guests. All what he respect healthy law. That's why the judge agree with him and explain a lady that she should not take something which it's not belong to her but Chef. It's Chef's decision either he want to give cake to her or not.