(Mishnah): One who hired workers and later told them to come early and leave late; in place where that is not customary, he cannot force them to do so.

In a place where it is customary to feed them, he should feed them; to supply them with sweets, he should supply them - everything follows the custom of that place.

There was once a story of R. Yochanan ben Matya who asked his son to go out and hire workers for him. The son went and hired them and agreed to give them sustenance.

When the son returned, his father said, "Even if you prepare for them a meal like King Shlomo's banquet, you have not fulfilled your obligation, as they are descendents of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. Rather, before they begin the work, tell them that they are working on condition that they will receive only bread and beans.''

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel: This was not necessary as one always follows the custom of the place.

(Gemara) - Rav Hoshiyah: This means that the custom can negate the law.

R. Imi: In all cases except this, we say that if one wishes to extract money from his friend, he must bring a proof.

The people of Tiveria were accustomed not to begin work early or finish late. (Early here means from dawn rather than sunrise; late here means until nightfall rather than sunset.)

The people of Beis Ma'on were accustomed to begin work early and finish late.

The people of Tiveria hired themselves out in Beis Ma'on according to the custom of Beis Ma'on.

The people of Beis Ma'on hired themselves out in Tiveria according to the custom of Tiveria.

However, if a person goes from Tiveria to hire workers in Beis Ma'on, he could tell them, "Do you think that I could not hire workers in Tiveria? The reason that I have come here to hire is because I heard that you begin work early and finish late!''

Question: What is done in a place without a custom?

Answer (Yehudah ben Buni/ R. Ami/ Rav Yehuda): It is a stipulation of Beis Din that the workers decide when they begin and the employer decides when they finish.

Question: What is their source for this?

The pasuk states Tehilim (104, 20-21-28-22-23), "You make darkness and it is night...the cubs roar for their prey...you give to them, they gather it in...the sun rises and they are gathered in...a man goes out to his work (and to his labor until the evening). (This is an allusion to workers who begin their workday after sunrise and finish in the evening at nightfall.)

As for Fridays,the employer is required to release them early in order to give them time to prepare for Shabbos.

Question: How much time before Shabbos must he give them?

Answer: Enough time to fill up a barrel with water, to roast a fish and to light a candle.

According to R. Yochanan ben Matya, a person who went to betroth a woman from another place must stipulate with her and say, "...on condition that you perform such and such tasks and you will receive such and such food.''