Dear Rabbi,
I worked at a Talmud Torah for approximately three years without pay slips, “off the books.” May I claim severance pay?
Thank you.
Shalom u’vracha,
The prevailing custom today is that all employees are entitled to severance pay, in the amount of one month’s salary for each year of employment.
Even when payment is made “off the books,” meaning without proper pay slips, the laws of the state still require the employer to pay the employee all of his rights. Since the prevailing custom follows this law, the employer is obligated to pay the employee in accordance with the customary practice of the state. Therefore, the employee is entitled to severance payments even if he worked without proper pay slips. This is likewise the practice of the batei din in their rulings.
There are exceptions in places where the custom does not follow the law. I am not familiar with such places in Eretz Yisrael; however, there may be exceptional institutions where the practice of paying according to the law has not become established, for example, institutions in Meah Shearim and the like.
With blessings,
Rabbi David Ohayon
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
PLEASE NOTE*
Attention: You should not learn from one case to another, each case must be analyzed individually. Generally speaking, it's always best to have contact with a Rabbi in person, not just virtual contact. Note that where there is a local Rabbi("Mara Deatra"), one should ask him. The answers are under the responsibility of the rabbi who responded, and not under the responsibility of the website and/or the Head of the Institution.
Last Articles
Those Who Study Torah Sustain the Entire World
In Chapter 1, verse 31: “And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day” — there is a
Tomb of Tana Hakadosh Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu
Rabbi Nachum Ish Gamzu was one of the first Tannaim (sages of the Mishnah era) and teacher of Rabbi Akiva
Jewish funeral / burial practice and customs
The Required Laws of a Jewish Funeral It is a positive mitzvah, ordained by the Sages, to accompany the deceased
The Tomb of the Tana Hakadosh, Rabbi Yosef Benaah
The Tana Rabbi Yosef Benaah (זיע״א) also called “The White Righteous One” or “The White Ari”) was known in his
The laws of the eve of Passover that falls on Shabbat (2025)
This year (2025) the fourteenth of Nissan (the eve of Passover) falls on Saturday, the chametz is checked by candlelight
A Guide for Converting to Judaism
Introduction Many people wish to join the Jewish people, but few succeed in completing the conversion process. Not all those
You may interested
Writing “HaRav HaKadosh” on the Tombstone of a Torah Scholar
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain
Carrying a Cellphone on Shabbat to Receive Emergency Alerts
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain
Sources and Reasoning: The Status of Those Killed al Kiddush Hashem It is commonly accepted among the general public to
When the Messiah comes and idol worshippers believe in Hashem—will they be forgiven?
Sources and reasoning: Psalm 22, verse 28, states: “All the ends of the earth shall remember and return to Hashem,
A Tenth of Tevet Fast That Falls on Friday: Until When Does One Fast?
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain
Who Was Melchizedek, King of Salem?
Sources and Reasons: The Gemara in Nedarim 32b explains that Shem, the son of Noach, is Melchizedek, king of Salem.
Carrying on Shabbat in the Gazelle Valley in Jerusalem
Sources and reasoning: A karpef larger than beit se’atayim that was not enclosed for dwelling—carrying is prohibited there Maran the
An Unusual Wind Blew a Sofa onto a Car, Causing Damage—Is the Sofa’s Owner Liable?
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. It may therefore contain
Is It Permissible to Dress in a Room, or Must One Dress Specifically in the Bathroom?
Sources and Reasoning: Laws of Modesty Before Heaven—even in a Closed Room The Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, siman 2, writes:
Skin Allergy: What Should One Do Regarding Putting on Tefillin?
Sources and Reasons: A). It is explained in the Shulchan Aruch (siman 27, סעיף 4) that there must be nothing
