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As a City solicitor specialising in computer law and electronic commerce, Richard Phillips should have a good idea of the power of the Internet.
The story begins last month when Mr Phillips, a senior associate with the world´s biggest law firm, Baker & McKenzie, was at lunch.
That was when Jenny Amner, a secretary who also works at the firm´s offices near St Paul´s, accidentally splashed the ketchup on his suit trousers. While many might have laughed off the incident, Mr Phillips chose not to. On May 25 he sent Mrs Amner, a mother of two in her fifties, a polite but somewhat insistent email.
It read: "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. Thanks Richard."
Mrs Amner´s response was a little slow, so she arrived at her desk to find a Post-It note left by a colleague chasing her for the £4. And that was when the secretary made plain why she had not been quick to respond - not only to Mr Phillips but to all the 250 staff working on the third floor of their office.
She sent out an email which read: 'Subject: RE: Ketchup trousers.
´With reference to the email below, I must apologise 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 apologise 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.
Having already spoken to and shown your email and Anne-Marie´s note to various partners, lawyers and trainees in ECC&T and IP/IT, they kindly offered to do a collection to raise the £4.
I however declined their kind offer but should you feel the urgent need for the £4, it will be on my desk this afternoon. Jenny."
One of the recipients in Baker & Mackenzie noted: "She (Mrs Amner) copied it to the whole floor and everyone was in stitches. She had come into work this morning to find a Post-It chasing her for the £4 after having the funeral the day before. He´s so tight."
"Remember to be nice to your secretaries."
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