Litigation Value: $25,000 – $50,000
Michael was unusually evil in the Golden Ticket episode of The Office. Juries don’t like evil managers, so Dunder Mifflin is probably looking at another judgment, this time in the range of $25,000 – $50,000.
Michael’s outrageous conduct in getting Dwight to fall on his sword (not literally this time) for Michael’s failed golden-ticket idea was unabashedly wrong. If Blue Cross hadn’t saved the day by making Dunder Mifflin their exclusive office supply provider, Dwight would have been fired (or as we call it, constructively discharged), and his claim against Dunder Mifflin would have been even higher.
Sometimes, Michael’s shenanigans are loveable –- it’s hard to get mad at a guy birthing a watermelon because he’s so excited for his girlfriend’s baby to arrive. And Michael’s stupidity is also quite loveable –- it’s hard to get mad at a regional paper supply manager who doesn’t know what a pallet is (unless you’re David Wallace). But in this case, Michael’s shenanigans and stupidity were far, far out of line. Forcing Dwight to take responsibility for the golden-ticket idea should have cost Dwight his job. And it would have cost Dunder Mifflin.
The golden-ticket idea was bad. Frankly, it was a fun cooker. Hopefully Michael will be his normal foolish, but not malevolent, self next week when a new V.P. comes to town.
I realize that this is heresy on a blog about The Office, but that show just isn’t funny anymore. I think I cracked a smile twice watching the last episode, though it wasn’t a bad premise. They just need to make it more punchier. It needs a third heat. Anyway, yeah, you guys should blog about the employment law related issues arising out of 30 Rock, instead. Dr. Spaceman alone has to be worth a nationwide class action against GE, oops, sorry, The Sheinhardt Wig Company.
Also, I’m just a third year law student, but am I crazy to think that those tickets weren’t legally enforceable. Was there any consideration in exchange for the discount? It seems like it was just an unenforceable gift, or change in price. Surely, they could have told their customer that it was an honest mistake and worked out a compromise.
You don’t need consideration to make a gift. Also, the gift had been executed and all the elements for a gift had been met. Micheal had the intent to make the gift, delivery when the boxes of paper were delivered, and acceptance would be implied because the gift was beneficial to Blue Cross.
I agree that it’s more funny when Michael’s intentions are pure, if a little misguided. It was pretty malicious of him to ask Dwight to take the blame, knowing it would likely get Dwight fired. It makes Michael less likeable, and the show less funny. He’s at his best when he’s incompetent, but his heart is in the right place.
umm… I think the gift would have been the actual lowering of the prices to the 50% discount. The physical tickets were worth nothing. The tickets were just a promise to give a discount, which I think is unenforceable, since there was no consideration in return.
I was horrified watching this show. Yes, it was funny, but almost to the point of being uncomfortable. All I could think was that Michael Scott should have been fired 10 times over for the stupid things he has said and done.