A tech employee in England attempted to sue her former boss because she thought the email abbreviations he used, including “xx” and “???,” were codes for requests for sex.
According to a report by the Independent, Karina Gasparova, an IT employee at “paperless global trade management,” filed a sexual harassment and discrimination case against her supervisor Alexander Goulandris documenting alleged wrongdoing dating back to 2019.
An employment tribunal at London Central Court heard Gasparova’s accusations, and a judge dismissed the case.
She asserted that Goulandris used the letters “xx” in emails to her as attempts to kiss her, the letter “yy” as a code for having sex with her, and the letter “???” as a question about “when she would be ready” for a sexual relationship.
Gasparova, who appeared in court on her own behalf, cited an email as support for her claims, claiming it revealed Goulandris’ purported willingness to “engage in sexual acts.”
“Can you please complete the following: The solution is currently used by xx Agris companies and yy Barge lines in corn cargoes in south-north flows in the???? waterways,” Goulandris said in the email to Gasparova, referencing evidence that was shown in court.
Also, please recollect the approximate date and balance of the rollout. Thanks.”
According to the tribunal, the email was a “genuine request for information” and did not imply Goulandris desired a romantic liaison.
Gasparova further asserted that Goulandris touched her hand once while reaching for a computer mouse, and that when he changed a file name to his initials “AJG,” the abbreviation actually stood for “A Jumbo Genital.” She further claimed that Goulandris told her to “have a nice evening” in “an alluring voice,” that he “stared at her,” and reportedly touched her leg underneath a table in a November 2019 incident.
The 2019 event involving his hand and leg was deemed “innocuous” and incidental by the tribunal.
As a result of Gasparova’s “skewed perception of ordinary events” and “demonstrated a tendency to make extraordinary allegations without evidence,” the judge dismissed the case.
Gasparova testified before the tribunal that she complained to higher-ups at the business about Goulandris’ treatment of her after she “rejected his advances.”
In April 2021, Gasparova, who joined the company in 2019, formally complained to Goulandris about the alleged instances. After the complaint was dismissed, she resigned, according to the publication.
Following the decision, Gasparova was mandated to pay the business £5,000 to cover legal fees.
