Q&A: Compensation for Absence During Operation Guardian of the Walls
Compensation for Absence During Operation Guardian of the Walls
Question
Hello Rabbi,
The law allows one to receive compensation for absence in order to supervise a child during Operation Guardian of the Walls, under the following conditions:
- The employee was absent from work in order to supervise his or her child
- There is no suitable framework for supervising the child at the workplace of the employee or of the employee’s spouse
- The child is not over 14 years old
I do in fact have small children, and the school was closed. But as it happens, I was on vacation during that period regardless of the operation. Is it halakhically permissible to request reimbursement for the vacation days?
Answer
It depends on the law. If the law does not allow it, then it is forbidden.
Discussion on Answer
Thank you.
I have no idea whether the law addresses this (if I knew it was illegal, I wouldn’t do it), but I’ll try to find out.
If the law allows it—what are called “loopholes in the law”—is it proper to take it? And perhaps there is a moral prohibition, since in the end it seems clear that the intent of the payer (the public, in this case) is not for a case like this, but for a case where a person got ‘screwed’ by the operation, whereas here the person was affected by his own decision to take vacation days…
You answered yourself. In such a situation it is legally permitted, but morally improper.
By the way, if the law does not allow it, then the prohibition is not only because of the law of the kingdom, but outright theft. You are receiving money that is not owed to you (at least, the public that is giving the money decided that it is not owed to you).