Spanish court annuls firing over AI-generated dismissal letter
Spain's Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia annulled the dismissal of a worker after finding the company used an AI-generated or internet-copied dismissal letter that contained errors, including describing a marble company as a clothing retailer. The court ruled the dismissal was improper and violated the worker's rights, citing both the defective letter and the employer's failure to reasonably accommodate the worker's condition.
What happened
A marble company dismissed a worker using a dismissal letter that was either copied from an internet template or generated using artificial intelligence. The court noted the letter was 'impresentable' and contained errors, including a description of the company as a clothing retailer rather than a marble producer, suggesting it had been copied from another company's template.
The worker suffered from silicosis but the company did not demonstrate lack of performance or dedication as grounds for dismissal. The company alleged a generic disciplinary violation regarding diminished work performance, though the worker could have continued work with protective equipment such as a mask.
Reported impact
The worker was dismissed improperly and without valid cause, affecting their employment and economic security. The court found the employer 'did not put special effort into formally justifying their decision to terminate the employment.'
Index analysis
The use of an AI-generated or copied dismissal letter without proper customization resulted in an impresentable document containing material factual errors about the company's business. The court found this demonstrated the employer's lack of care in executing a significant employment decision.
Governance controls
The court ruled the dismissal was improper and annulled it, requiring the company to reinstate the worker. The judgment emphasizes the legal requirement for employers to comply with formal requirements and substantive justification when terminating employment.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.