Steff Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/06/17...egal/index.html Ketchup stain sparks e-mail flurry Friday, June 17, 2005 Posted: 7:01 AM EDT (1101 GMT) LONDON, England -- An e-mail exchange between a law firm executive and a secretary over a ketchup stain has set London's legal world buzzing. The details were forwarded across the city after Richard Phillips, a senior associate at Baker & McKenzie, sent a message to secretary Jenny Amner. The exchange appears to refer to her spilling ketchup on Phillips' trousers and who should pay the cleaning bill, UK's Press Association reported. The first e-mail, which Phillips sent on May 25, said: "Hi Jenny. I went to a dry cleaners at lunch and they said it would cost £4 to remove the ketchup stains. If you cd let me have the cash today, that wd be much appreciated." On June 3, Amner replied: "With reference to the e-mail below, I must apologize for not getting back to you straight away but due to my mother's sudden illness, death and funeral I have had more pressing issues than your £4. "I apologize again for accidentally getting a few splashes of ketchup on your trousers. Obviously your financial need as a senior associate is greater than mine as a mere secretary." She wrote that she had told various partners, lawyers and trainees about his e-mail and they had offered to "do a collection" to raise the cash. "I however declined their kind offer but should you feel the urgent need for the £4, it will be on my desk this afternoon." Subsequently the e-mail exchange was forwarded across the legal world, with comments added questioning Phillips' generosity. On June 15, one respondent to the e-mails wrote: "Judging by the names, this was around the whole legal city by now." In a statement Thursday night, Baker & McKenzie said: "We confirm we are aware of the incident and subsequent e-mail exchange. "This is a private matter between two members of staff that clearly got out of hand. We are investigating so as to resolve it as amicably as we can. "As I am sure you understand we respect the privacy of our staff and make it a policy not to comment on individuals to the media." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 OK I don't get it. What is the big deal? I don't see any death threats or anything, why is everyone all up in arms? Yeah its stupid to ask for money for a drying cleaning when you make something like 170,000 dollars a year, but is that what is making this national news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted June 17, 2005 Author Share Posted June 17, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jun 17, 2005 -> 09:57 AM) OK I don't get it. What is the big deal? I don't see any death threats or anything, why is everyone all up in arms? Yeah its stupid to ask for money for a drying cleaning when you make something like 170,000 dollars a year, but is that what is making this national news? For the sheer stupidity of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted June 17, 2005 Share Posted June 17, 2005 I'm assuming the real issue is the insensitivity – very likely inadvertent (sp?) - of the boss emailing the secretary about something so mundane when she was away attending to the illness, death, and funeral of her mother. He probably should have realized she was out, or at least that's the reaction the secretary seems to have had about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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