Employee Rights and Benefits

A relationship between an employer and an employee is no different than any other relationship – it begins with high aspirations. An employment relationship creates legal obligations on both the employer and the employee which should be considered and evaluated before commitments are made and before the relationship is established. You must comply with the minimum requirements of Israeli law which are likely significantly different that those in the Old Country.

Israel offers a wide range of professional opportunities in both the private and public sectors. Whether you’ve already found a job or are still seeking, it’s important to understand the basic components of both salary and the benefits that are customary in Israel.

Israel’s labor laws have, historically, been pro-employee but even more so with respect to protecting women. The labor laws address three major issues unique to women: affirmatively protecting the special needs of women with respect to pregnancy, avoiding discrimination against women and prohibition against sexual harassment.

A Tium Mas (coordination of income tax) is the authorization by Mas Hachnasa (the Income Tax Authority) to one or more employers as to how much income tax is to be withheld by each from the employee's salaries. When an individual earns a salary from more than one source, it becomes necessary to obtain a Tium Mas in order to ensure that the proper tax will be withheld in total from all salaries.

Olim who have been in Israel for at least 6 months and are not employed, are entitled to a monthly living allowance through Misrad Haklita, known as Dmei Kiyum. Amounts for Dmei Kiyum are as follows. Note that unemployment benefits begin AFTER Sal Klita payments finish.

An employee who has worked for an employer for a year is entitled to severance pay from the employer, at the rate of one month’s pay for each year of employment at that employer, as long as the employment is terminated by the employer without cause.