Gardner v. Celanese Corp. of America
Gardner v. Celanese Corp. of America
Opinion of the Court
It is at once clear to us from a consideration of the allegations of the petition that the plaintiff is not seeking a recovery in this case for any breach of a contract of employment. No contract of employment, or breach of duties owed the plaintiff under a contract of employment, or any other contract, is alleged. The gist of the action is in tort for fraud and deceit. It is pdlacred that the plaintiff was on March 1, 1952, relieved of his duties by the defendant, acting through its agent and em
Pursuant to the act of the General Assembly approved March 8, 1945 (Ga. L. 1945, p. 232), requiring that the whole court consider any case in which one of the Judges of a Division dissents, this case was considered and decided by the court as a whole.
Judgment reversed.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting. The petition here alleges merely that the defendant “released plaintiff from his duties and . . . represented to plaintiff that he was placed on a furlough status and would be returned to work.” No explanation of the term “furlough status” is attempted, and it does not appear that there was any contractual relationship between the parties after plaintiff was released from Ms duties. Accordingly, the meaning of this allegation, when construed against the pleader, is simply that the contract of hiring ended at the will of the employer, and that, when the plaintiff was laid off, he was also promised future employment at some indefinite time. This cannot amount to more than a false promise of the employer to rehire the employee. “A false promise to perform an act in the future is not a false pretense or false representation, although the other party acts thereon, and the same can not be made the basis of an action for damages for fraud.” Crozier v. Provident Life &c. Insurance Co., 53 Ga. App. 572 (186 S. E. 719). See also Shafer v. Carson, 33 Ga. App. 418 (126 S. E. 735); Meacham v. State, 7 Ga. App. 713 (1) (68 S. E. 52); Stephens v. Milikin, 35 Ga. App. 287 (133 S. E. 67).
Accordingly, I am of the opinion that the trial court properly sustained the general demurrer to the petition.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Gardner v. Celanese Corporation of America
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- 3 cases
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- Published