The Matzav Rant: Hiring Fun Unzere

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chareidimBy Shmuel Miskin

A friend of mine raised an interesting point to me the other day that shows how, sometimes, we are so worried about what other people are doing and whether what they are doing is right, when we, ourselves, seem to violate what we preach.

The person was commenting on the fact that heimishe grocery owners often decry the fact that Yidden patronize non-Jewish supermarkets and stores. When they are told that their prices are much higher and their service is not always up to par, they respond that there is a mitzvah of Vehechzokah Bo, requiring us to patronize fellow Yidden.

The acquaintance pointed out that upon entering several frum groceries recently, he noticed that 90% of the workforce was not Jewish.

“I understand that this is probably because the storeowner pays ‘bubkes,'” said my friend. “But how about patronizing and hiring frum Yidden? Ah, you’ll tell me that it costs more to hire frum people? But doesn’t it cost more to shop in this guy’s store and yet he says that that is what we should be doing?!”

Valid point. Many of us do patronize frum stores, even when the prices are higher, even when the goods are inferior, and even when it is inconvenient. But during these tough economic times, with so many people needing jobs, should it then logically follow that stores should pay a bit more so that frum Yidden could be employed in those positions?

I am not accusing and stating what should be done. Rak le’oerer bosi. I am just raising this point to consider.

Once I am addressing this topic, allow me to conclude with what bothers me even more. The work at grocery stores usually involve menial labor, and I can imagine that even if the pay was increased, many Yidden would turn down those jobs. But how about the dozens of businesses and offices in our communities, owned by frum Yidden, that are staffed by dozens of people who are from the outside? Countless Yidden – talented individuals, many with degrees and qualifications – are unemployed and in debt, and yet our own businesses do not make it a priority to hire fun unzere.

I have raised some points to consider. Once again, rag le’orer bosi. Let me hear what you think.

 {Shmuel Miskin-Matzav.com Newscenter}


11 COMMENTS

  1. And what will happen when Christians will hire Christians only and Muslims will hire Muslims only and Hindus ……………? Will we lable them all as antisemites?

  2. One very valid reason given is as follows:

    When a business hires a legal American worker it is with the employment laws in mind. Employment law is based upon British common law’s theory that employment is ‘at will’. This means that just like a worker cannot be held against his will, so too a business owner can not be forced to keep an employee against the owner’s will. Hence, legal termination is allowed in America.

    If an worker cheats the business owner, diverts business funds into another personal account, or any other harmful activity, the employee is terminated and an investigation is launched.

    However, a frum employee of a frum business can choose to shlep the business owner into Bais Din to prevent his firing. The business owner will be forced to make a ‘psharah’ which is often more than a regular severance pay. Or, evn worse be forced to keep the employee and risk further harm to the business. Plus, if the employee was involved in criminal activity the owner has a mesirah issue preventing an investigation.

    Therefore, the hassle of hiring frum workers is usually too much.

  3. I ONCE TRIED TO HIRE A JEWISH BOOKKEEPER.
    SHE CAME TO THE INTERVIEW WITH A LIST OF REQUIREMENTS SHE NEEDS.
    1. SHE IS OFF 3 WEEKS BEFORE PESACH.
    2. IF A CHILD HAS A PLAY OR IS SICK SHE GETS OFF
    3. FULL PENSION AFTER 10 YEARS
    4. FULL MEDICAL
    5. PAY AT 150% OF THE GOING RATE
    6. FRIDAYS AND MONDAYS OFF IN THE SUMMER
    7. 3 WEEKS VACATION
    8. IF SHE IS C.V. SICK ITS ALSO AN OFF DAY
    9. ALL THE ABOVE DAYS ARE WITH FULL PAY
    I TOLD HER THAT IF SHE FINDS A JOB LIKE THAT SHE SHOULD ASK IF THEY WANT TO HIRE ME ALSO.

    NEEDLESS TO SAY I DIDNT HIRE HER.

    I WILL SAY THAT I ENDED UP GETTING A FRUM LADY WHO WAS GREAT, HOWEVER MANY PEOPLE ASK FOR THE MOON

  4. def something to think about .. chicago… i think ur point is way off and i have yet to see what you say ..def the other way in court i have seen though i know many frum pple unfairly laid off never did anything — could’ve made suits… “too mcuh of a hasle…that is SICK

  5. The American legal system can be substantially more expensive to deal with for improper termination and all sorts of allegations that a fired employee can come up with despite employment at will. Your Beis Din argument is invalid and contrary to the mitzvah of Vehechazakta Boi. If you run your business ehrlich You will be protected from the need to fire an employee that you properly checked into before hiring. Hatzlacha Rabba!

  6. firstly many people do, b”H fire fun unzere. But, for those who don’t one reason is because of the tendency to learn the business, and then go off and start your own, becoming competition (sometimes even stealing actual clients) from your former employer. One need not be overly concerned when hiring from nisht unzere.

  7. Can you imagine what will happen to their prices – and business – if they have to start paying top dollar to the baggers, delivery men, etc??

  8. #6:
    Who is talking about improper termination?

    #7:
    Very valid and legitimate.

    #8
    I always thought that Albertson, WalMart, Shoprite, etc. prices were very cheap. If the stores can’t compete with the big name stores it’s time to do a cost/benefit analysis of the business sustainability.

    This issue is no different than the credit issue written on the other thread on the site.

  9. This underhand, quasi-legal, not too kosher way of dealing with one’s fellow human beings is the main reason I avoid Jewish mamme and tatte businesses like the plague.

    At least the goyishe multiples treat their help according to the law of the land.

  10. The negative commenters here are obvious Chaseirei Emunah. You have all failed to provide any legitimate concern to hire another ehrliche yid to work for you. Success breeds competition. If it won’t come from inside, it will come from outside. You fail to realize that there is enough available business out there for the competition as well. If you become a monopoly, the gov’t will break you down. Let the Borei Oilam determine the success of the employee you fear will steal “your” business. If it’s bashert that you lose it, you’ll lose it regardless and if not, then you will keep it despite attempts to take it away. Of course, this assumes that you conduct yourself in respectful and honorable fashion with your customers.

    The grocery, the local haberdashery, the supermarket, department store or mall is a separate issue. You can run like a chicken without a head, with no purpose in life to waste all your time getting the biggest metzia each one separately has to offer. Add in your gas, wear and tear, then recalculate your savings. There are reasons for each. You don’t need to allow yourself to be ripped off, but you may wish to consider paying a reasonable surcharge for good service, if and when it’s provided by your fellow yid.

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