The Workplace Relations Commission dismissed a chef’s gender discrimination complaint against a café and service station, finding no prima facie case had been established. Adjudication Officer Michael McEntee dated the decision 13 April 2018.
The chef said management investigated allegations linked to a staff Christmas party, reprimanded him and damaged his reputation. He argued he had been treated that way because he was male. The café said it investigated his concerns after he resigned, found there was no formal sexual harassment complaint against him and denied discrimination.
The officer found there was no evidence to support an inference of gender discrimination and said the chef’s gender was not an issue in the events. He noted the café had emphasised confidentiality, obtained a confidentiality agreement from the female colleague and investigated the chef’s complaints before communicating its findings by letter dated 2 May 2017.