You work less you lose your job. You work overtime and expect to be rewarded all the time - think again.

Sharon Smiley had been working in a real estate company for 10 years. But she lost her job because she decided to skip her lunch and instead finish her pending work.

It’s been two years now 48-year-old Smiley is entangled in a legal battle with her former employee.

Smiley who was a receptionist and administrative assistant recalled the incident and said that she was asked to go to lunch and step away from her desk, but she refused.

Her manager observed Smiley working on the project during her lunch hour.

The human resources director said it was violation of company rules and Illinois' labour laws.

The fact that Smiley worked during her lunch hour cast a bad light on the company's image.

Since she was discharged for misconduct, Smiley was also ineligible for unemployment benefits, reported ABC News.

Smiley was also under lot of stress while working and suffered health issues.

After approaching the Illinois Department of Employment Security's board for 3 times, Smiley finally took her case to a circuit court. But she did not challenge the firing.

The court ruled the case in favour of Smiley for unemployment benefits.

She now has a new satisfying job.