This week we continue discussion of different situations with regard to the obligation of paying on time (bal tolin).
1. Closing Unprofitable Business: If one has an unprofitable business, and he decides to close it down, he does not become exempt from the Mitzvos involving bal tolin. Therefore, he is still obligated to pay wages which have already accrued, and if he refuses to do so, he transgresses three Torah commandments in addition to bal tolin. With regard to withholding wages by declaring bankruptcy, a competent authority should be consulted.
2. As we have mentioned in the past, there is bal tolin on domestic employees such as maids, nurses or caretakers. Their wages are subject to bal tolin every payday unless the worker had consented to accept late payment. If an employment agency negotiated the hire, then there is no bal tolin on the first payday. However, if the employee continues working for that employer, he will be subject to bal tolin on all future paydays.
1. Much of the information for this essay is taken from “Halachos of Other People’s Money” by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner.
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