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Entrepreneur accused of making 'derogatory remarks about Irish people', WRC notes

Summary

Fintech entrepreneur Roy Zakka faced a Workplace Relations Commission decision after a former senior employee, Mary O'Dell, alleged that he made derogatory remarks about Irish people during a phone call in late May last year. The tribunal found Zakka's conduct "completely unprofessional" and noted that he blamed an Irish executive for the company's payroll failure and subsequent redundancies. O'Dell, who had not received her salary since 28 April 2023, claimed unpaid wages and unfair dismissal. The WRC awarded her €91,188.13 in compensation and ordered Layer Digital Solutions Ltd to pay €38,819.38 in unpaid wages. The decision also imposed a €52,368.75 compensation award for breach of the Unfair Dismissals Act. The case was heard without Zakka's presence, and no response was recorded from him or the firm. The tribunal also rejected a separate claim by contractor Rodrique Rizk for €12,000, finding he was not an employee at the relevant time.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Entrepreneur accused of making 'derogatory remarks about Irish people', WRC notes. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• 5 March Hearing Or Sentence
• 28 April 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• 29 May Other
• September 2023 Other
• 2024-04-04 Publication

Case subjects

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Read the original CNI report