Misva #588: Paying Wages on Time

The Torah in Parashat Ki-Teseh (Debarim 24:15) commands, “Be’yomo Titen Secharo” – requiring an employer to promptly pay his worker the wages due to him, without any delay. The Sefer Ha’hinuch explains that the Torah issued this command because generally, people depend on their wages for their basic sustenance. Ensuring to pay workers on time so that they can pay for their necessities helps engender compassion and sensitivity for other people. The Torah wants us to be merciful and compassionate, because when we act toward people with mercy and compassion, we earn Hashem’s mercy and compassion, and He showers us with His blessings. This Misva includes both wages for work that one performed, as well as payment for leasing. Thus, if a person leases his fellow’s animal or utensil, he is required by force of this command to promptly pay the owner the rental fee. If an employee works during the day, then the employer must pay the wages that night, until morning. If the employee works at night, then the employer must pay the wages the next day, until dark. If the arrangement is for the employee to work for a week, a month or a year, then the time his wages are due depends on when his term of employment ends. If it ends during the day, then he must be paid by the end of the day, and if it ends during the night, then the payment must be given during that night. If somebody brings an artisan a utensil or some other item to repair, then the owner is not required to pay the artisan until he returns the repaired item. Once he returns it, the payment must be made immediately. This requirement applies only if the worker claims his wages; the employer does not violate this command as long as the employee has not yet asked for his money. Furthermore, this prohibition does not apply if the employer does not have the money owed to the worker. However, the Sefer Ha’hinuch writes that it is certainly proper not to hire a worker before ensuring that he will be able to pay his wages. This command applies in all places and at all times, and is binding upon both men and women.