'Psychic' IT worker sacked after telling female colleague he'd already seen her in his dreams loses battle for compensation

Elrich Daudet, a former IT worker at Computacenter (UK) Ltd, has lost his legal battle for compensation after being dismissed for sending love poems to a female colleague, whom he claimed he had already encountered in his dreams. The case, which reached the Employment Appeal Tribunal, concluded that Mr Daudet’s belief in the prophetic nature of his dreams did not qualify as a protected belief under UK equality laws, and that his actions constituted harassment. Daudet, a senior computer analyst at the company, was employed from 2008 until his dismissal in December 2022. He described himself as possessing the "gift" of prophetic dreams, which he believed could foretell the future. According to the tribunal records, he had such visions since childhood, some of which he felt compelled to share with others, particularly when they contained warnings. Other dreams, he said, were more personal and social in nature, which he chose not to disclose. In August 2022, Daudet was introduced by his supervisor to a new colleague, Vanessa De Souza, a relatively recent starter at the company. After a brief face-to-face meeting, he reportedly realized that she was the same woman who had appeared in his dreams months prior. He then sent her a message stating that he had known for a year they would meet and that she was "haunting" his dreams. In subsequent communications, he included love poems, describing her scent as reminiscent of "flowers in the Garden of Eden." These messages led to an internal disciplinary inquiry, during which Daudet was accused of harassment. As a result, he was dismissed for "gross misconduct." Following this, he filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for unfair dismissal, harassment, and discrimination based on his race and his belief in the prophetic power of dreams. During a five-day hearing in 2024, an employment tribunal ruled that there was nothing unfair about his dismissal. The tribunal determined that Daudet’s belief in his ability to foresee the future was not a "protected belief" under equality legislation, as it was too specific to his personal experiences rather than a broader philosophical stance. Additionally, the tribunal found that his messages could reasonably be interpreted as harassment, given the context in which they were received. Daudet appealed the decision, arguing that the lower tribunal had misinterpreted his belief and failed to recognize its significance. His lawyer, Chinonso Ijezie, contended that the belief was not merely about his own abilities but represented a broader conviction regarding the divine nature of dreams. However, the Employment Appeal Tribunal rejected the appeal, affirming that the initial ruling was legally sound. The case highlights the complexities surrounding workplace conduct and the interpretation of personal beliefs in professional settings. While Daudet maintained that his actions were rooted in a deeply held conviction, the tribunal found that the manner in which he expressed these convictions crossed into inappropriate behavior. The outcome underscores the legal boundaries between personal expression and professional conduct, especially in environments where such expressions can lead to discomfort or distress among colleagues. Vanessa De Souza, the female colleague at the center of the dispute, testified that Daudet’s statements made her feel "uncomfortable" and "panicky." She had previously informed another colleague that his proclamations were causing her stress, indicating that his behavior had already begun to affect her work environment. These accounts were central to the tribunal’s determination that his actions constituted harassment. Computacenter (UK) Ltd, a major IT services provider listed on the FTSE100, defended its decision to terminate Daudet’s employment, emphasizing that the company takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. The firm stated that the disciplinary process was conducted in accordance with its policies and that the termination was justified under the circumstances. As the case concludes, Daudet faces the reality that his claims for compensation have been denied. The ruling serves as a precedent for similar cases, reinforcing the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and respecting the comfort of coworkers in the workplace.