Question

Jack operated a restaurant. One day, he was under-staffed as one of his staff had to take leave on an urgent basis. He asked Jill, his twin sister, to help him for the day and offered to pay her $20 per hour. Since Jill was free, she agreed. She worked a total of 10 hours that day. However, after the restaurant closed for the night, all the other workers were paid their daily wages but not Jill. When Jill asked Jack about her pay, Jack laughed and said, “I was only kidding! You can’t be serious about receiving payment for helping your favourite brother!” Discuss whether Jill could enforce the agreement against Jack.

Answer 1

The promises and agreements should always be fulfilled otherwise it often gives rise to moral bankruptcy. The sibling relationships are not out of the domain of agreements and promises even every religion stresses on the honesty and fulfilling of the promises. Jack was her boss for the day and she was her staff member for the required period and she worked like other members for a longer period .There is a universal law of equal pay for equal work even if the workers are siblings or friends ,the promise means promise .Prior to ask for help he ought to have had made it clear that Jack should be helped as a brother not lure her at the pretext of mockery ,she has every right to enforce the agreement against her brother if he doesn't pay her the amount promised.