Money Manners: What to do when worker brings a buddy along to help

Dear Jeanne & Leonard:

A young man noticed that the car in my driveway had a “For Sale” sign on it, and he offered me 100 hours of labor in exchange for my vehicle. I said OK. “Zach’s” been working down the hours, and everything’s going fine. Recently, though, he’s been bringing a helper with him, and now I’m unsure about where things stand between us. Do I count the helper’s hours toward the 100 hours Zach agreed to work, or should Zach work the 100 hours himself and pay his helper as he sees fit? And is this my decision, or his?

— Judy K., Arkansas

Dear Judy:

What does your contract with the young man say? ... Just kidding. If people put all their agreements in writing, we’d be out of business.

But to answer your question: Zach must imagine that his helper’s hours count toward paying off his debt. Otherwise, why would he be bringing the guy? That said, if the helper is as good a worker as Zach, there’s no reason his hours shouldn’t count toward Zach’s debt. If, however, you think an hour of the helper’s time is worth less than an hour of Zach’s, you need to talk to Zach ASAP and clear things up.

And just so there’s no misunderstanding: You’re the employer here, meaning it’s for you — not Zach — to decide whether his helper’s work is satisfactory.

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Dear Jeanne & Leonard:

My family has a small charitable foundation that makes what I would call significant contributions to organizations in our community. The foundation was established by our great-grandparents to provide medical services to the indigent (Great-Granddad was a doctor). Here’s why I’m writing: Some of my cousins and I would like our foundation to also support several local conservation programs. But other cousins say we’re obligated to honor the wishes of our forebears. Isn’t it unreasonable for these cousins to insist that we stick so literally to the original mission of the foundation? Times have changed, and I feel that if they were alive today, our great-grandparents would be fine with what we have in mind.

— H.A., New York

Dear H.A.:

So they’ve run out of sick poor people where you live?

Look, your great-grandparents endowed that foundation to address a need they particularly cared about, the need for the indigent to receive better medical care. Had they wanted their as-yet-unborn great-grandchildren to decide whether their money might be better spent on other causes, they would have put those sentiments in writing; you wouldn’t have to turn to your inner clairvoyant and “feel” them.

All of which is not to say that you’re wrong to be concerned about conservation efforts in your community. Far from it. There’s no reason why you and your like-thinking cousins shouldn’t follow the example of your generous great-grandparents and support, with your own money, the local organizations that address the problems you care deeply about.