Money Like Mench

How to be a Mentsch in an Economic Downturn Rabbi Paul Drazen

There is much in the halakha pertaining to behavior by both the employer and employee. Employees owe their employer full attention and devotion to their work, appropriate care in their jobs. Special short versions of the amida and birkat hamazon were created to save the employees time while being able to fulfill the mitzvot. Employers had to treat employees fairly. Working conditions have to be safe – whistle blowing is permitted. Local custom allows employees some latitude in terms of how their job can be done.

Some sources A. If a fellow Hebrew, man or woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall set him free. When you set him free, do not let him go empty-handed: furnish him out of the flock, threshing floor, and vat with which the Lord your God has blessed you. Bear in mind that your were slaves in the land of Egypt and Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I enjoin the commandment upon you today. Deuteronomy 15:12-15 B. This mitzvah was fulfiiled for both men and women in Temple times…. Even now the wise person does so, if a person worked for a long or short time, furnish him when he goes… Sefer Hahinukh, 450 C. Jewish law regulates other practices to ensure fairness to others. For example, creditors cannot harass – verbally or otherwise – those who are indebted to them. Similarly, an employer must pay employees on time and must treat them with respect. Generally, an employer cannot fire an employee without cause, even if the employee was hired for an indefinite duration and, under secular law, would be terminable “at will.” According to many Jewish law authorities, an employer must provide severance pay even if there is no contractual provision to that effect. Resnicoff, Jewish Law and Socially Responsible Corporate Conduct

D. dina d’malkhuta dina – one must follow the law of the land. Talmud Bava Kama 113 a [among other places]