An Auckland supermarket worker has been fired for giving a free loaf of banana bread to a blind customer.

Janice Taylor was fired from New World at Manurewa's Southmall in January.

She had taken a loaf of banana bread and put it in the groceries of a blind customer who pre-ordered her shopping every week.

She told a check-out operator not to scan the bread but put it in the bag anyway.

After she was fired, Taylor said she intended to pay for the bread herself but she was distracted by a kitten that entered the supermarket.

Taylor took her case to the Employment Relations Authority which found there was a clear staff policy about purchases.

Any violation of the purchasing procedure for staff was said to be serious misconduct.

Taylor was a supervisor and she "knowingly breached the rules".

"Even though Ms Taylor said she intended to pay for the banana bread, Ms Taylor did not."

The ERA found the company undertook a thorough investigation and Taylor's dismissal was "fair and reasonable".

- © Fairfax NZ News