Election Day Rights: What Workers and Employers Need to Know
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
On Israel's upcoming election day, most workers are entitled to a paid day off, separate from vacation time. Essential service workers will continue their duties and receive enhanced pay. Labor law expert Moshe Menashe emphasized that employers cannot demand any work, even remotely, from those eligible for the day off. Employees working on election day must be allowed time to vote, and even those too young to vote may be entitled to the day off.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Most Israeli workers are entitled to a paid day off on election day, separate from vacation.
- Employees in essential services like healthcare and transportation will work and receive increased pay.
- Employers cannot demand any work from employees eligible for the election day off.
- Workers on election day must be allowed time to vote, even if they are working.
- Eligibility for the day off is not solely dependent on the right to vote.
- Remote workers entitled to the day off are not obligated to perform any work tasks.
On the upcoming election day, many employees in Israel will receive a paid day off, known as a "shabaton." However, essential services like healthcare, transportation, and emergency services will continue to operate, with employees in these sectors entitled to increased compensation. Labor law expert Adv. Moshe Menashe explained in an interview with Makor Rishon that a shabaton is a day off from work, and employers cannot demand any work, even remotely, from eligible employees. The purpose of this day is to allow citizens to exercise their fundamental right to vote.
The election day off is in addition to an employee's regular vacation days and does not count against their accrued leave. Generally, eligibility for pay on this day requires at least 14 consecutive days of employment with the same employer prior to the election. Employees who were not scheduled to work on election day are not entitled to additional pay.
Menashe clarified that even employees who must work on election day are still entitled to go to the polling stations and vote, and employers must facilitate this. He also noted that eligibility for the day off is not solely dependent on the right to vote; even a 17-year-old employee who cannot yet vote may still be entitled to the shabaton.
Menashe cautioned employers about potential misinterpretations, particularly with remote work. When offices are closed, it's clearer that employees are not available for work. However, he stressed that employees entitled to a shabaton are not obligated to perform any work tasks, even small ones, from home.
The exact hours of the shabaton are not explicitly defined by law. The common interpretation is that it covers the voting hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, though some interpret it as a full 24-hour period. This ambiguity affects the payment for night shifts or shifts extending beyond 10:00 PM.
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