Israeli Election Day Rights: Who Gets a Day Off, Who Gets Double Pay
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
On Tuesday, October 27, Israelis vote in Knesset elections, with most workers entitled to a paid day off under Israeli law. Essential service workers may be required to work but must be allowed to vote. While double pay isn't mandated, it's a common practice, and employees are generally protected from dismissal for taking their legally entitled day off. Lawyer Naftali Shor advises understanding these rights to avoid disputes.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Most Israeli workers are entitled to a paid day off on election day, October 27.
- Essential service workers may be required to work but must be given time to vote.
- Employees who have worked 14 days prior to elections receive regular pay for the day off.
- Double pay is not legally mandated but is a common practice for those working.
- Refusing to work on election day when legally entitled is not grounds for dismissal.
Millions of Israelis will head to the polls on Tuesday, October 27, for Knesset elections. However, while some will enjoy a day off for rest and family, others may be required to work. According to legal expert Naftali Shor, writing on the legal website Psakdin, the day of elections is designated a public holiday for most workers in Israel, as stipulated by Basic Law: The Knesset. This means most employees are entitled to a day off without using annual leave. Furthermore, Section 136 of the Knesset Elections Law states that employees who have worked continuously for at least 14 days prior to election day are entitled to their regular pay for that day, even if they do not work.
Whether an employee can be compelled to work depends on their sector. Essential services such as public transport, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and communication services are exempt from the holiday status. Workers in these fields may be required to work but must be given the opportunity to vote. For businesses not deemed essential, employers cannot force employees to work on election day. Work is only permissible with the employee's explicit consent, even if it's remote work. Refusing to work on election day, when legally entitled to a day off, is not grounds for dismissal. However, employees in essential services who refuse to work without a valid reason may face disciplinary action.
While the law does not explicitly mandate double pay for all workers on election day, a common practice, supported by labor court decisions, is to pay employees 200% of their regular rate or provide regular pay plus additional paid time off. For instance, an employee earning 50 shekels per hour could receive 800 shekels for an 8-hour workday instead of the usual 400, with potential additional compensation for overtime. Exceptions exist, such as foreign workers in sectors like elder care, hospitality, construction, and agriculture, who typically do not receive a day off and are paid their normal wage.
Shor emphasizes that election day is not just a democratic event but also holds significant economic and legal importance. Understanding these regulations can prevent disputes and ensure workers can exercise their rights without jeopardizing their employment.
