How sick leave is paid in Israel: everything you need to know

Ynet, together with a lawyer, has prepared answers to key questions about sick leave pay in Israel: the first day is unpaid, the second and third days are paid at 50%, and from the fourth day onward, full pay applies. Employees accrue 1.5 days per month, up to a maximum of 90 days. Employers cannot prohibit sick leave. Parents of children under 16 may use up to 8 days per year.

With the onset of flu and cold season, many employees and employers do not fully understand their rights and obligations regarding sick days. Together with attorney Ran Konfino, deputy director general for legal affairs and labor relations of the Histadrut Leumit union, Ynet has prepared answers to the most common questions. By law, the first day of illness is unpaid, the second and third days are paid at 50% of earnings, and from the fourth day onward, sick leave is fully paid as long as the employee has accumulated days remaining. An employee accrues 1.5 sick days for each full month of work, totaling 18 days per year, with a maximum accumulation of 90 days. An employer cannot prohibit taking sick leave or demand that the employee work part of the day. The employee must provide a medical certificate within 3 days. Parents of children under 16 may use up to 8 days per year from their accumulated sick leave. Unused days carry over to the next year but are generally not eligible for monetary compensation. Dismissal during paid sick leave is prohibited within the limit of accumulated days, but not exceeding 90 days.