Summer Layoffs Show High Repeat Rate, Disproportionately Affecting Women

The number of Israelis expected to be laid off during the summer months of 2026 is projected to be around 15,000, a decrease from previous years. For comparison, approximately 20,100 individuals were laid off in the summer of 2025, and 15,800 in 2024. However, an analysis by the Israel Employment Service reveals a significant trend of recurring layoffs, indicating that for a substantial portion of workers, this is not a one-time event but a pattern of seasonal unemployment.

This phenomenon, known as the "revolving door effect," leads to ongoing employment instability. Nearly half of those laid off in the summers of 2024-2026 were also laid off in the preceding year. The Director-General of the Employment Service, Einbal Mesh, stated that summer layoffs represent more than just a seasonal issue, and the high risk of recurrence, particularly for women in certain professions, causes cumulative damage to employment continuity, income, seniority, and social rights over time.

Specifically, about 48.9% of summer layoff victims in 2026 were also laid off in the summer of 2025, and 36.4% of them were part of this group in 2024. Looking at a broader period from 2019 to 2026, around 37% of all summer layoff recipients returned to employment offices at least twice, 19% appeared at least three times, and 11% were laid off in at least four different summers.

The issue is not evenly distributed across the population. Women constitute approximately 86% of summer layoff victims in 2026. The risk of being a repeat layoff victim also increases with age; individuals aged 35-54 face a 34% higher risk compared to those 34 and under, and those 55 and older face a 53% higher risk. The risk for men is about 10% lower than for women, and for non-Haredi Jews, it is 20% lower than for Haredi Jews.

Recurring layoffs are particularly prevalent in teaching support, secondary education teaching, sports, and field crop professions, accounting for almost three-quarters of repeat summer layoff victims. Despite returning to employment faster than other job seekers and utilizing fewer unemployment days, the repeated nature of these layoffs results in cumulative harm. The Employment Service emphasizes that identifying this subgroup is crucial for developing targeted interventions to reduce recurrence and enhance job stability.