a moral question

[labbo606]

i own a supply house in a poor area. i hired a guy who is a little slow.
he said that he is not allowed to be on the payroll, because they would cut his social security, and he needs it for his medicine and also he gets food stamps. He said the money he is getting, is not enough to support himself. so if he is on the payroll they would cut his social security. i know it is illegal but is it a sin to hire him? i know in moral theology every body is in title for food and shelter.
thankyou

 

[Karin]

labbo606:

i own a supply house in a poor area. i hired a guy who is a little slow.
he said that he is not allowed to be on the payroll, because they would cut his social security, and he needs it for his medicine and also he gets food stamps. He said the money he is getting, is not enough to support himself. so if he is on the payroll they would cut his social security. If you are paying him over a certain amount yes…that could happen. I would question this a bit more!!! i know it is illegal but is it a sin to hire him? why would it be a sin to hire him? It is illegal not to put him on payroll though it cheats the rest of us that do pay taxes and contribute $$ to our society! i know in moral theology every body is in title for food and shelter.
thankyou

 

[Scott_Waddell]

labbo606:

i own a supply house in a poor area. i hired a guy who is a little slow.
he said that he is not allowed to be on the payroll, because they would cut his social security, and he needs it for his medicine and also he gets food stamps. He said the money he is getting, is not enough to support himself. so if he is on the payroll they would cut his social security. i know it is illegal but is it a sin to hire him? i know in moral theology every body is in title for food and shelter.
thankyou

Yes, it is a sin because you would be helping to perpetrate fraud. Yes, everyone is entitled to food and shelter, but the good ends do not justify sinful means. You need to find a way that helps him get what he needs without breaking the law.
Scott

 

[EsclavoDeCristo]

Would you be able to pay this man enough to where he could survive off of public assistance? It would probably be a sacrifice for you to pay him that much but maybe thats why the Lord put him in your path. Just a thought.

God bless you and prayers for your discernment of this situation.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Also, apart from the morality of it, it seems you are exposing yourself to the possibility of blackmail. If he has no scruples about defrauding the gov’t, why would he have scruples not to turn evidence on you?

Scott

 

[Mom_of_one]

Scott Waddell:

Also, apart from the morality of it, it seems you are exposing yourself to the possibility of blackmail. If he has no scruples about defrauding the gov’t, why would he have scruples not to turn evidence on you?

Scott

Scruples can go by the wayside when you are desperate. But that is a legit concern to have, even if he’s just acting out of desperation.

 

[amateurthomist]

I have two thoughts:

1. Everyone is entitled to the opportunity to receive food and shelter, but no one is entitled to a handout.
2. It is never morally legitimate to do something immoral for some good purpose (as someone as already mentioned). Therefore, it would be morally wrong to disobey the law. I like the suggestion that was made that perhaps you could find a way to pay the person more. Perhaps this person might be suitable for a position that would offer more earnings? Or maybe you can help the person find a social service organization or church that helps the poor. God bless. I know you are in a tight spot.

 

[puzzleannie]

labbo606:

i own a supply house in a poor area. i hired a guy who is a little slow.
he said that he is not allowed to be on the payroll, because they would cut his social security, and he needs it for his medicine and also he gets food stamps. He said the money he is getting, is not enough to support himself. so if he is on the payroll they would cut his social security. i know it is illegal but is it a sin to hire him? i know in moral theology every body is in title for food and shelter.
thankyou

if he is on social security he probably has a caseworker or caregiver who can give you the proper details of his situation that you need as an employer. Generally there is a limit to the amount he can make, and the type of health care he has through medicaid or other programs determines whether or not he can be put on your company’s insurance plan. He may not be the best person to explain his situation adequately. there are other ways to handle this and stay right with the system, and still get him supplemental employment income.

for instance the son of a friend, now 19, is too old for his sheltered workshop program, but the caseworker found him a PT job with a neighboring college food service. At first they accepted no money, thinking his SSI would be cut, but found he can make a couple of hundred dollars a month.

 

[ncjohn]

puzzleannie:

if he is on social security he probably has a caseworker or caregiver who can give you the proper details of his situation that you need as an employer. He may not be the best person to explain his situation adequately.

I would think this is exactly the right answer. Your note that he is a “little slow” would certainly lead to the possibility, if not the likelihood that there is someone working with him who understands his situation better than he does. I would seek that person out, or if there isn’t one, maybe look into whether there should be with one of the social service agencies.

The first rule of helping anyone, which I learned when I did ski patrol, is that you don’t put yourself at risk, as then you will not be able to help them or anyone else.

I applaud your desire to help in a difficult situation. God is obviously working through you!