Ford investigates snack 'stealing' after more employees fired despite paying for food

Ford investigating self-service kiosk issues after more employees were dismissed despite reportedly paying for snacks

Ford is investigating reported issues with its self-service snack kiosks after several employees were dismissed over alleged theft despite claims they had paid for the food.

The latest cases follow the dismissal of longtime Ford employee Kurt Kromm earlier this month. Kromm, who had worked for the company for 11 years, said he was fired after being accused of stealing a cookie.

He later provided proof that he had paid $1.95 for the item after completing the transaction through a second kiosk when the first appeared to malfunction.

According to earlier reports, Ford reinstated Kromm's position and offered him back pay for the time he had been out of work. However, he chose to take a different job instead.

Now, the Detroit Free Press reports that at least three more employees at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant were dismissed under similar circumstances.

The outlet said the employees were later rehired after the company determined they had not committed any wrongdoing. Cookies and other snacks were reportedly involved in the incidents.

Ford spokesperson Dave Tovar confirmed the company is reviewing the matter.

"We have invested significantly to upgrade our workplaces, including self-serve kiosks operated by Aramark to provide 24/7 convenience for our employees. We are aware there have been some issues raised regarding the kiosk functionality in some limited cases, and we are working with Aramark to review these situations," Tovar told the Detroit Free Press.

According to the report, the investigation has been ongoing since early July.

Another employee, Brendan Fluker, told the newspaper that problems with the kiosks have existed for years.

"It will sometimes freeze in the middle of a transaction. People will pay for stuff and not get a receipt," Fluker said.

Ford has not indicated whether changes will be made to the self-service kiosks, and it remains unclear whether additional employees may have been affected by similar payment errors.