Chasing the Fionist Dream

As we said before “Knowledge is power”. This is definitely one of our favorite mottos since you can’t guarantee your rights if you don’t know what they are. If you have not yet read our other two post on workers rights, make sure to check them out here and here.

Since October 7th, so many people’s ability to work has been affected. Whether you had to evacuate your home, got called up for reserve duty, couldn’t work because your kids had no school, or your sector was negatively impacted by this war.

As the war continues, new regulations get passed. Just because you might not be eligible for support now does not mean that it will not change in the future. These rights are as of November 16, 2023.

So what are your rights during this war?

1. Missing work due to Home Front Command regulations. In the event that you were or are unable to make it to work because the Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) prohibited your place of work from being open, you can not be fired for not coming in.
   
   
2. Not showing up to work after Home Front Command regulations change. If regulations change and it is now deemed safe for you to go to work, but you don’t show up, your employer has the right to fire you.
   
   
3. Working from home. Sadly, your employer is not required to allow you to work remotely, even if its possible for you to do so.
   
   
4. Furlough (Chalat). Your employer may not furlough you without your consent. If you do not agree to be furloughed, your employer may terminate your employment, complete with a shimuah, and you will be eligible to start receiving unemployment payments immediately. In the event that you agree to be furloughed, it cannot be open ended, and must be for a determined period. (More info on Kol Zchut.)
   
   
5. Reserve Duty (Miluim). If you were called for reserve duty, your job will pay you your regular salary, and your employer will seek reimbursement from the relevant authorities. The minimum wage for miluim stands at 310.52 shekels per day. This means that if you are unemployed or make less than that in your day job, this is what you will get for miluim.
   
   
6. Spouse in miluim. If you are the parent of one or more children under the age of 13 and your spouse has been called up for reserve duty, you are entitled to work one hour less per day on the days that your spouse is serving. Despite working fewer hours, you should still receive your full salary.
   
   
7. Essential workers. If the Home Front Command recognizes you as an essential worker, you must show up to work, even if you have children under 14 – and you can potentially lose your job if you don’t. Sorry, we know it sucks.
   
   
8. Leaving your job. If you are one of the many laid off people these days, make sure:
   • That you are paid out for all of the days you worked in your last month, plus your unused vacation time and unpaid havra’a.
     
     
   • That your employer deposited into your pension every month
     
     
   • To collect all of your 106 forms, your 161 form from your employer, your tlushim (payslips), and a letter from your employer stating the dates you worked there.
     
     
   • To take all of the above to Lishkat Hata’asuka (unemployment office) and register for unemployment payments. Use this calculator to find out what benefits you are eligible for.
     
     
9. Starting a new job. In the event that you lose your job, we hope you find a new, even better one soon. When you do, make sure to (negotiate if necessary and) sign a contract and fill in your 101 form when you start the job. Make sure to fill out a new 101 form at the beginning of each year.
   
   
10. More Havra’a! This one is unrelated to the others, but we couldn’t wait to tell you and wanted to end this post on a happy note. Havra’a payments just got bumped up from 378 to 418 shekels per day! That’s more money in your pocket this summer. (For more info, check out Kol Zchut.)
    

As always, if not sure what your rights are regarding a certain subject, check out Kol Zchut. If you realize that you might not be getting all what you should be entitled to, speak to your HR, your boss, or the person that does your payroll and get clarification from them. For more information about your wartime rights, the Misrad Ha’Avodah (Ministry of Economy) has a Q&A page that you should check out here. Some extra follow up info can be found here.

As a reminder, we are still in the middle of this war and things change all of the time. Wishing all of us peace, a speedy return of our hostages, and long-term security. Am Yisrael Chai!

Like what you see here? Subscribe so you never miss a post.