Paying on Time1 Part 9
There are situations in which the Mitzvos involved with paying on time (bal
tolin) do not apply.
1. If the worker does not request payment, or has not sent someone to
collect the payment, there is no bal tolin. This is because the worker’s
money was not held back against his will. However, if the worker stands
there waiting to be paid, without verbally requesting his payment, that is
considered a request for payment, and bal tolin applies.
It should be noted that it is the worker’s responsibility to pick up the
money. The employer is not obligated to arrange for the money to be
delivered before the deadline. If the worker does not pick up the money,
then there is no bal tolin.
2. Even if the worker requests payment, if he agreed to wait for the money,
there is no bal tolin. Furthermore, even if the worker really wanted to get
paid on time, and only agreed to wait because he was embarrassed to press
his demands, there is no bal tolin. However, the worker must clearly agree.
If the employer wants to delay payment, he must ask the worker for his
verbal consent, however he may not simply inform the worker that he will pay
him next week, without asking for the worker’s consent.
1. Much of the information for this essay is taken from "Halachos of Other
People's Money" by Rabbi Yisroel Pinchos Bodner.
