Question 1

Does a seasonal worker get severance pay in Israel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A seasonal worker who has worked for the same employer for at least one year of cumulative employment is entitled to severance pay upon dismissal. The key question is whether the seasons add up to a full year of continuous or near-continuous service. Israeli courts have consistently recognized that repeat seasonal employment can create an entitlement to severance pay — even when each season is formally treated as a separate engagement.

Question 2

How is seniority calculated between seasons?

Accepted Answer

Under Israeli labor law, consecutive seasons with the same employer may be counted as continuous employment for the purpose of seniority accumulation. The determining factors are: whether the employee was invited back each season, whether there was an expectation of return, and how long the break between seasons was. A short gap between seasons does not automatically break seniority — the courts look at the totality of the employment relationship.

Question 3

Am I entitled to recuperation pay as a seasonal worker?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Recuperation pay (dmei havra'a) is not linked to the type of employment contract but to the number of years of service. A seasonal worker who has accumulated the required seniority — one year with the same employer — is entitled to recuperation pay at the applicable rate. Employers who refuse to pay it are in breach of the law, and the claim can be pursued retroactively for up to seven years.

Question 4

Does the employer have to keep my job open between seasons?

Accepted Answer

There is no absolute legal obligation to reserve the exact position, but in many cases the employer creates a reasonable expectation of re-engagement. If the employer breaks a consistent pattern of annual rehiring without justification, this can in certain circumstances be treated as dismissal — which may trigger entitlements including severance pay. Each situation depends on the specific facts of the employment relationship.

Question 5

Can I be dismissed without notice at the end of the season?

Accepted Answer

No. Even at the end of a seasonal contract, an employee who has worked long enough to qualify is entitled to advance notice before termination. The required notice period increases with seniority. Failure to give proper notice — or to pay salary in lieu of notice — is a violation of the Prior Notice to Employee Law and can be claimed as a separate cause of action.

Question 6

Is a seasonal worker entitled to sick pay?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Seasonal workers are entitled to sick pay under the same rules that apply to all employees. After completing three months of employment, a worker is entitled to sick leave at 50% pay for the first day (in most cases), 100% from the second day onward, up to the statutory maximum. Seniority across seasons counts toward the sick leave bank.

Question 7

What if I have worked the same season for 5 years?

Accepted Answer

Five years of returning for the same seasonal work with the same employer creates a strong legal basis for claiming continuous employment rights. At this point you are almost certainly entitled to severance pay, pension contributions, recuperation pay, and annual leave. If the employer has been withholding any of these, you may pursue a retroactive claim — the statute of limitations for most employment claims is 7 years. An employment attorney can assess exactly what you are owed.

Seasonal Worker Rights in Israel

What Seasonal Workers Are Entitled To

Common Violations and How to Claim

Frequently Asked Questions — Seasonal Worker Rights

Know Your Rights as a Seasonal Worker