A banker named Szabolcs Fekete, who worked as a senior analyst at Citibank, was fired from his job due to trying to expense sandwiches and some coffees for his partner, and then proceeded to lie about it when he was confronted by his company: Citibank.

Mr. Fekete worked at the bank since 2015 and specialised in financial crime. The events revolved around a business trip he took to Amsterdam in which his partner joined him. He claimed that he had bought two pasta dishes, two sandwiches and two coffees on the trip which he expensed. He initially stated that he had eaten these by himself.

Later down the line, he admitted that he had shared his meals with his partner who had joined him in the trip. Before this in an email exchange with his manager, Fekete mentioned ‘I was on a business trip by myself and I had two coffees as they were very small.’

When the discrepancies were noticed, he was questioned further. In response, he said ‘All my expenses are within the €100 daily allowance. Could you please outline what your concern is as I don’t think I have to justify my eating habits to this extent.’ The issue itself wasn’t necessarily about the lie however, but the fact that he may have breached the expenses policy which is the reason Citibank escalated this matter.

The policy that was breached specifically was that spousal travel and meals are not reimbursable. Whilst he did later admit to it, his reason was that he was suffering with personal issues before the trip, including the grieving of the death of his grandmother, and had been confused. Citi fired him on the grounds of gross misconduct and Mr Fekete responded by suing them for unfair dismissal.

Unfortunately for him, the tribunal was in favour of Citi and he lost.

The judge said ‘I have found that this case is not about the sums of money involved. This case is about the filing of the expense claim and the conduct of the claimant thereafter. I am satisfied that even if the expense claim had been filed under a misunderstanding, there was an obligation upon the claimant to own up and rectify the position at the first opportunity.’

This case has now made headline news.  In reality, nothing in this case is new.  It is well established that an employer is entitled to be able to trust its employees and where that trust is breached, the employer is within its rights to act accordingly.  It is perhaps a stark reminder however that a lie is a lie, irrespective of how big or little it may be.

It should also serve as a reminder to employees that where a mistake is made, a swift acknowledgement and apology would be better than an attempt at hiding your error.

Make sure that you know your rights, our solicitors at Aston Bond are here to help you.

Contact us at: +44 (0)1753 486 777 or drop us an email at info@astonbond.co.uk.  

World Mental Health Day serves as a global reminder that mental health should be a priority for individuals and organisations alike.

In the legal profession, where the stakes are high and the pressures are intense, acknowledging and addressing mental health is not a sign of weakness but a testament to the strength and resilience of the individuals who make up the legal community.

While the legal profession is often associated with rigorous demands and high-stress environments, it is crucial for law firms to recognise the significance of mental well-being within their ranks.

In this article, we, as a law firm committed to holistic well-being, delve into the importance of World Mental Health Day and the role of the legal industry in fostering a healthier work environment.

The Legal Profession and Mental Health

The legal profession is known for its demanding nature, long hours, tight deadlines, and the emotional toll of handling sensitive cases. These factors can take a toll on the mental health of legal professionals, making it vital to address the issue openly and proactively.

Promoting Mental Health in the Legal Workplace

Here are some strategies that law firms can employ to promote mental health and well-being within their organisations:

Work-Life Balance: Encourage work-life balance by setting reasonable work hours, discouraging excessive overtime, and respecting personal time. Promote the use of vacation days and sick leave when needed.

Supportive Leadership: Foster an organisational culture where leaders and supervisors are empathetic and supportive of their team members’ mental health needs. Encourage open communication and check-ins.

Awareness and Education: Employees should be educated on recognising signs of mental distress in themselves and their colleagues.

At Aston Bond, we understand the importance of mental health both in and out of the workplace. By taking proactive steps to support mental health, we aim to ensure that our team can thrive both personally and professionally.

Together, we can create a healthier and more compassionate future for all

Black History month is a time to celebrate and recognise the achievements and accomplishments of black individuals and communities, furthering to promote a positive sense of recognition and pride.

Additionally, this month offers an invaluable opportunity to help educate people about the frequently overlooked and/or marginalised features of black history. It comes with even greater importance considering the struggles and tribulations that have happened to black people over the course of many centuries.

Not only is this a reflection on the past, but also a call for the future.

Black History Month is the perfect opportunity for schools and educational institutions to incorporate black history and culture into the curriculum from the start of the school year. This helps to promote inclusivity by diversifying the curriculum and further inspires students by giving them positive role models.

Such education is important in a time where negativity thrives on social media (particularly as the average age for a social media users is decreasing each year). From all the hard work and determination of the black power movement through cultural programs and educational events, the younger generation can learn about the rich tapestry of black history and reflect on the significant contributions this movement has made.

As a law firm, we support the education and celebration that Black History Month can provide.  This is particularly the case as we see such under-representation in our industry – across all the lawyers in England, Scotland and Wales, black lawyers only represent 2 percent of the workforce; this is the lowest percentage out of all the ethnic minorities. Aston Bond strives to focus on diversity and equality as our people have and will always be the heart of what makes us different. That is why Aston Bond champions its training and development practices; to make sure that regardless of previous experience, the appropriate knowledge and training is provided to everyone that is part of the company.   Additionally, our extensive work experience programme goes some way to opening up the pathways for local students, irrespective of their background.

As we enter Black History Month, we not only recognise the struggles faced throughout history, but also celebrate the incredible achievements that have impacted and changed our society. ­­­­­­­­These strong movements and collaborative efforts between the black community helps to promote discussion between other communities on racial inequality, social justice and awareness.

We encourage all to strive towards a society which encourages diversity and a more equitable and inclusive future for not only the black community, but also for us all.

We are honoured to announce that our litigation department has won the Legal 500 award for outstanding professionalism, high work ethic and strong commitment in the profession!

The department has received many positive reviews from clients, so we are very proud to accept this award on his behalf. This recognition is a result of our commitment, diligence, and the confidence our customers have in us. In this blog, we will be talking about Legal 500, and the thrilling details of our accomplishments, along with what it implies for our client and our staff.

Legal 500 has constantly been providing the most current vision of the global legal landscape and has been examining the capabilities of law firms all over the world with thorough research programmes that is adapted and updated every year.

Legal 500 evaluates the strength of law firms in more than 150 jurisdictions and ranks law firms and individuals who provide the most state-of-the-art and innovative assistance and advice.

The staff at Aston Bond has been praised by many clients as well as other businesses for it’s:

• Exceptional client feedback
• Professionalism and patience
• Community involvement
• Innovative legal strategies

Despite this, we are constantly looking for ways to improve and focus on keeping up to date with the legal world.

James Dyche is no exception as he is described as having ‘a wise head on young shoulders’ and ‘very sound judgement’ as well as always keeping a positive and uplifting atmosphere within the office.

We are very grateful for this award as this means that our clients are represented by a highly regarded and successful law firm, which leads to increased confidence and use in our service. It also inspires us to continue to strive for excellence.

This is also an opportunity to acknowledge the collaborative endeavour that helped and led to winning this award – every member of our team should feel proud.

Winning any award in the legal field and in particular, Legal 500 is a very noteworthy accomplishment that showcases our commitment to offering top of the line legal services. Get in touch with our expert team today on 01753 486 777 or info@astonbond.co.uk

Did you know that in the UK there are more than 920,000 people currently living with dementia, and this figure is expected to rise to over a million by 2024. 

Whilst the majority of people with dementia are over 65, it is a common misconception that dementia only affects the elderly, as there are currently more than 42,000 people under 65 in the UK with dementia. Dementia is not just a natural part of ageing but is caused by brain diseases.

There are many different types of dementia and each one has its own symptoms, however, the main common factor is short-term memory loss, and this can cause confusion and disorientation. 

However, there are simple steps that can dramatically help those suffering from dementia feel more comfortable and relaxed in unknown environments, and it is therefore, we must all take action to implement these steps into our services as far as possible to help assist those clients with dementia.

Recognising the signs of dementia

The following are all symptoms that your client could be suffering from dementia, or another illness affecting their memory:-

They may be unable to retain your name, and may be confused as to where they are and how they got there;

They may not be aware of the time and date, and may struggle to concentrate;

They may repeat themselves, or have difficulty finding the right words; and

They may find it difficult to read and write.

Communicating with your client verbally

The following tips can all help clients with dementia feel at ease and aid their recollection by ensuring they are under as little pressure as possible:-

Guide your client by using their name before you start speaking to them, or if you notice they are losing concentration;

Keep your tone relaxed and gentle, and do not rush your client.  Allow the client time to think and provide a full answer;

If your client is struggling to understand, repeat sentences clearly in a steady voice;

If the client finds it easier to write, then encourage them to do so if they are struggling to recall the word.  Using a timeline, symbols or pictures may also help your client;

Describe your actions clearly such as “the meeting room is just here” and name objects or places, even if you are repeating them;

Avoid leading questions or questions presented as statements as this may confuse your client’s memory.

Communication with your client in writing

Dementia can also affect a person’s ability to read and write, or to understand the information, and you should therefore ask if they have a preferred format for further correspondence.  It may be that they would prefer a larger font, a recording or a telephone call to run through any written correspondence they receive.

The following are all useful steps that can be taken to ensure the client is not confused by any additional correspondence they may receive:-

Providing your client with information or questions that will be discussed at the meeting so that they have extra time to think about their answers beforehand;

Providing a recording of your meeting discussions (either written or audio)so that your client has something to refer to afterwards, as they may not be able to recall your meeting;

Be concise and try to avoid long paragraphs and sentences.  Heading can also help the client break down information and bullet points can make it easier for your client to take in information in bite size chunks;

Further Reading

We hope that the above information will help your business take steps to ensure a service is provided that is accessible to those suffering from dementia and helps them feel comfortable and at ease.

If you would like further information on Dementia please see the charities:

 https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ and https://www.dementiauk.org/

If you would like to help increase awareness of dementia, as an individual or as a business, then you can enrol as a Dementia Friend via https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/.

For more information, please contact us on 01753 486 777 or info@astonbond.co.uk