A 66-year-old restaurant boss told a 22-year-old female employee to book a work trip for them both - and wanted her to pay to try to hide it from his wife, a tribunal has heard.

Darcy McColley took Spanish Doughnuts CEO Michael Aldemir to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal alleging sexual harassment. 

According to material tendered to the tribunal, Aldemir's conduct towards Ms McColley was of a 'predatory and grooming nature'.

Aldemir made comments about Ms McColley's appearance and smell and offered to buy her clothes and perfume, the tribunal heard.

The tribunal heard he took the 'junior and inexperienced employee' on interstate work trips where 'more relevant employees would have expected to attend'.

Aldemir allegedly just wanted to 'spend time with her' when he took her on a trip to Byron Bay and also suggested they share a room at Mantra Hotel on the Gold Coast.

Aldemir also allegedly made Ms McColley pay for trip expenses personally so as not to 'create business records that could be seen by others'.

This included his wife Concetta Aldemir, the tribunal was told.

Ms McColley alleged Aldemir made 'unwelcome sexual advances' and engaged in conduct of a 'sexual nature' towards her while she worked at his Spanish Doughnuts franchise between February and May 2022. 

Aldemir allegedly sent suggestive text messages, gave her preferential treatment and made secret payments to her. 

Ms McColley told the tribunal Aldemir directly discriminated against her by 'creating a workplace that was intimidating, hostile, degrading and offensive to women'.

The tribunal was told the workplace conditions were 'unfavourable to Ms McColley as a woman'. 

The tribunal has now found in her favour after it said Aldemir's conduct would have 'offended, humiliated or intimidated a reasonable person'.

This included 'isolating a young woman from her peers and co-workers' and organising one-on-one meetings that did not need to be held in person. 

Ms McColley told the tribunal she had no option other than to resign because she was unable to raise her concerns with work colleagues.

She said Spanish Doughnuts had no designated human resources manager who could deal with a complaint. 

The matter has been running since August 2023 but has been repeatedly delayed largely due to the actions of Aldemir, the tribunal said.

Multiple hearings had been adjourned because Aldemir was not present or had not filed required materials.

Ms McColley claimed Aldemir's conduct in the proceedings had caused her to 'suffer an extreme exacerbation of her symptoms associated with her diagnosed anxiety disorder'.

The tribunal was told Ms McColley's mental health had suffered because she had to 'go to certain lengths to prepare herself each time a deadline approached'.

Ms McColley also stated the failure of Aldemir and Spanish Doughnuts to file any materials had made her feel 'hopeless and defeated'. 

She also said the process had been 'exhausting and depleting', and the repeated delays caused by Aldemir's failure to comply with orders had made her feel 'upset, angry and hopeless'. 

VCAT determined Aldemir failed to comply with orders with no 'reasonable excuse', and that this disadvantaged Ms McColley. 

Aldemir appeared at the May 11 tribunal hearing where he branded Ms McColley 'an actress'.

'She's been trained like that when she was little,' he said.

'She likes to perform. She would say anything to get away with it. She doesn't like people like myself obviously because of her upbringing. 

'She's had issues with men in her life, her father, her attitude towards her mother and [everything] she's gone through and she says just to try to pick on something.'

VCAT member Stuart Webb said he found the statement to be 'inappropriate and distressing' to Ms McColley. 

'The conduct and comments of Mr Aldemir demonstrated directly why the orders for material to be provided in writing had been made,' Mr Webb said.

'It is the aim of the tribunal to ensure that the conduct of the proceeding is respectful in all the circumstances.'

At the May 11 hearing, Mr Webb gave Aldemir further orders to provide written materials on or before June 9, but received a medical certificate instead. 

'I do not accept that the health circumstances of Michael Aldemir is a reasonable excuse for not complying with the orders of VCAT,' Mr Webb said in his written reasons.

'It has been stated that the respondents are seeking legal representation to respond to the claims being made.

'At the [May 11] hearing, Michael Aldemir stated that two of his daughters were lawyers but he had chosen not to consult with them regarding preparing materials for this proceeding.

'I do not accept that the lack of legal representation for the respondents is a reasonable excuse for not complying with the orders of VCAT.'

Mr Webb determined Ms McColley had been dealt an 'unnecessary disadvantage'.

'She has waited years for the respondents to provide materials in response to what has been put to them. It has not been forthcoming,' he said.

'[Aldemir and Spanish Doughnuts] have been given repeated opportunities to provide information and have not done so.

'Their actions are significantly detrimental to the progression of this application.

'Having regard to the matters discussed above, I am satisfied that the respondents have been conducting this proceeding in a manner which has unnecessarily disadvantaged the applicant.' 

The tribunal heard in June 2024 that Spanish Doughnuts was in external administration after Aldemir had earlier been declared bankrupt. 

The matter will return to the tribunal on July 29 to determine compensation and costs. 

Daily Mail attempted to contact Aldemir without response. Ms McColley declined to comment.