Citibank has won an employment tribunal brought by fired analyst Szabolcs Fekete, who was accused of gross misconduct for the tasteless crime of claiming expenses for meals shared with his partner during a business trip, contrary to the bank's policy.
Ruling in favour of Citibank, the judge in the case stated: "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.
"It is significant that the claimant did not make a full and frank disclosure at the first opportunity and that he did not answer questions directly."
In email exchanges published in the court documents, a ‘Ms Cory’ questioned the contents of an expenses claim from an Amsterdam business trip.
“The receipt appears to have two sandwiches, two coffees, and another drink… Are you advising that this was all consumed by you?” enquired Cory.
The claimant replied stating “yes- that is correct. Kindly advise Adam that on that day I skipped breakfast and only had 1 coffee in the morning. For lunch I had 1 sandwich with a drink and 1 coffee in the restaurant, and took another coffee back to the office with me and had the second sandwich in the afternoon… which also served as my dinner”.
The claimant added that the amounts were “well within my €100 limit.”
A protracted back and forth ensued, when it was determined that Fekete had expensed a meal for his partner, who had joined the business trip with him.
Fekete was let go after seven years working for the financial institution.
Judge Illing added: "The claimant was employed in a position of trust in a global financial institution.
"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. I accept that the respondent requires a commitment to honesty from its employees."
A spokesperson for Citi said: "We are pleased with the decision."