Question 1

Which days are statutory rest days (hagim) in Israel?

Accepted Answer

For Jewish employees, the statutory rest days are: Rosh Hashana (2 days), Yom Kippur, Sukkot (first and last days), Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, Passover (first and last days), Independence Day, and Shavuot. For non-Jewish employees, equivalent rest days apply according to their religion. Shabbat (Saturday) is also a weekly rest day.

Question 2

What pay rate applies if an employee works on a holiday?

Accepted Answer

An employee who works on a statutory holiday is entitled to: (1) an additional 50% premium on top of their regular daily pay (bringing the total to 150% of regular rate); and (2) a compensatory rest day (yom menuchah tahlifit). Some collective agreements provide for 175% or 200% on holidays.

Question 3

Can an employer require an employee to work on holidays?

Accepted Answer

An employer can require an employee to work on a public holiday only if: (1) the business operates continuously (e.g., hospitals, hotels, security); or (2) the employee has agreed in the employment contract or a relevant collective agreement. Refusing to work on a holiday for religious reasons is protected — an employer cannot dismiss an employee for such refusal.

Question 4

Is a non-Jewish employee entitled to the same holiday pay?

Accepted Answer

Non-Jewish employees are entitled to their own religious holidays as days of rest. If they work on their own holidays (e.g., Christmas for Christian employees, Eid for Muslim employees), the same 150% premium applies. If they work on Jewish holidays that are not their own, they are generally not entitled to the premium unless a collective agreement provides otherwise.

Question 5

What if the employee was on annual leave during a holiday?

Accepted Answer

A statutory holiday that falls during an employee's annual leave does not count as a day of annual leave — the holiday replaces it. The employee effectively gets an additional day of annual leave. An employer who counts holidays as annual leave days is violating the law.

Question 6

Can an employer pay a flat salary that includes holiday pay?

Accepted Answer

An employer can structure pay on a global basis that includes holiday compensation — but only if: (1) the employee agreed explicitly in writing; (2) the global component genuinely covers all holiday entitlements for the actual hours worked; and (3) the arrangement is no less favourable than the statutory minimum. A shortfall can be claimed.

Working on Holidays in Israel — Rights & Pay

Holiday Pay — The Legal Entitlement

Frequently Asked Questions

Not Paid for Working on Holidays?