what would you guys say for this question/
SECTION 4 – PRINCIPAL & AGENT
QUESTION 6
Jill runs a business, Kings Furniture, which specializes in the manufacture and sale of leather furniture. She goes on holiday at Christmas time, the quietest time of the year for the business, and leaves Tim, a casual employee, in charge. Jill tells Tim, “Just answer the phone and take messages – I’ll deal with new orders when I get back.” On his first day, Tim receives a phone call from the factory where Kings Furniture is manufactured. The factory manager tells Tim that there is a leak in the ceiling and, as rain is forecast, he needs to get it fixed. Tim tells him to “go ahead – after all, it’s an emergency.” The manager arranges for Alex, a roofing specialist, to repair the roof. The job takes several days and Alex charges twice his usual rate because he has to work on public holidays.
When Jill returns from holiday she sees Alex’s bill and is furious – she planned to demolish the factory in February and didn’t want to waste money by repairing it. She also finds that Tim has arranged the installation of a water cooler in the office, and signed, as her agent, a two-year contract for water supply.
Does Jill have to pay Alex? Does she have to pay the water company the monthly amount set out in the contract? Advise with reference to agency principles.
would you just say that the employee is not acting within the scope of employment as stated by the principal and therefore alex is liable for all the charges or is jill liable..
thanks for any help, i need it