Courts / Dublin / Report

'Yee haw': Chef accused of witness "collusion" over claim that colleague thrust into him "as if he was riding a horse" used ChatGPT to prepare complaint, WRC hears

Date
2024-11-06

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Serhat Aksakal, a commis chef at the Odeon Bar and Restaurant in Dublin 2, appeared before the Workplace Relations Commission regarding a statutory complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The applicant alleged that a senior colleague, identified as MR Z, touched his body with his genital area while he accessed a low fridge. Aksakal stated he used ChatGPT to prepare his formal complaint, attributing similar phrasing in witness statements to translation tools rather than collusion, a suggestion raised by the respondent's representative. The tribunal heard that Kivaway Ltd, the venue's operator, dismissed MR Z in August following the complaint, while Aksakal and a third witness remain employed. The respondent characterized the incident as crass horseplay, whereas the adjudicator noted the complainant was entitled to feel his dignity was affronted. Aksakal also alleged he was rostered to work alone with MR Z after his initial complaint. The matter was adjourned for a further hearing in January or February to address additional evidence and a second statutory complaint under the Payment of Wages Act concerning tip distribution.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Yee haw': Chef accused of witness "collusion" over claim that colleague thrust into him "as if he was riding a horse" used ChatGPT to prepare complaint, WRC hears. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

4 July Other
17 July Other
29 July Adjournment
2024-11-06 Publication

Why: "After I defend myself, I cover my face, because he's trying to touch my face… I didn't know what he was thinking, and after he tried to make some movements from his body, so it was humiliating and it affect[ed] my dignity," he told the tribunal. CNI source report