Question:
Hello Rabbi,
I receive weekly pay checks but haven’t deposited for several weeks. Before I was ready to make the deposit, I let my employer know just to make sure there were enough funds in the account and was told to deposit only two. I have asked every week since but the reply is always the same, to deposit just one check. This has been going on for over a month. The employer does not seem to care and has said the funds are needed for other things. Am I obligated to do what is in the interest of the employer since I was the one who delayed depositing? Or am I entitled to make the deposits as I have repeatedly asked?
Answer:
Hello,
The checks were given to you, and your employer owes you the money. Additionally, he is the one who has to keep track that there is money in the bank to cover his checks. You are allowed to cash all the checks and you don’t have to ask him permission. If you want to be nice to your employer, if you can, that is your personal decision.
(As a side point an employer may not stall off the payment of his workers if indeed he has he money for it, and can afford it.)
On the other hand, from your part, not cashing a check in a timely manner can cause confusion to the accounting department, and to your boss, and cause him problems. Therefore, for the future, you should cash the checks right away, as part of being considerate to your boss.
Best wishes
