Hours of Work and Rest Law Israel 1951 – Full Guide 2025 | NETO

Introduction and Purpose

The Hours of Work and Rest Law, 5711–1951, was enacted shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel. It describes the employee’s right to maximum daily, weekly, and monthly working hours, overtime pay, weekly rest, and annual leave. The law defines when overtime must be paid at 125% and 150%, the breaks employees are entitled to, and all exceptions to the law.

Chapter One: Working Hours

Section 1 – Definitions

"Employer" – a person who employs another person in work in exchange for pay, or in whose name such work is performed.
"Employee" – a person who performs work for pay for an employer.
"Working day" – a calendar day or a shift that begins on one day and ends on another.
"Week" – a period of seven days.
"Shift work" – work in shifts in which the workplace operates for 16 or more hours per day.
"Overtime" – work beyond the normal daily working hours or beyond the weekly quota.

Section 2 – Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours

An employee shall not be employed for more than:

• 8 hours per day on the day immediately preceding the weekly rest day or a public holiday
• 9 hours per day on other days
• 42 hours per week (total regular hours)

For shift workers, the Minister of Labor may prescribe different arrangements.

Section 3 – Overtime Compensation

Where an employee works overtime, the employer must pay:

• 125% of the regular wage — for the first 2 overtime hours per day (i.e., up to 2 hours beyond the 9-hour daily quota)
• 150% of the regular wage — from the 3rd overtime hour onward per day

Overtime calculation is first done at the daily level (beyond 9 hours), then at the weekly level (beyond 42 hours), then at the monthly level (beyond 182 hours).

Section 4 – Total Maximum Hours

An employee shall not work more than 12 hours per day (including overtime) and not more than 16 overtime hours per week (i.e., a maximum of 58 hours/week), except under emergency circumstances permitted by the Minister of Labor.

Section 5 – Shift Work

In shift work, the regular work quota may be up to 45 hours per week. The Minister of Labor may issue special regulations for specific industries regarding the distribution of hours.

Sections 6–11 – Overtime Permits and Exceptions

The law allows employers to obtain permits for overtime work in certain circumstances, including national security needs, essential services, seasonal industries (agriculture, food preservation, trade before holidays), and declared states of emergency. Such permits are issued by the Ministry of Labor and the Regional Labor Inspector.

Chapter Two: Weekly Rest

Section 7 – Right to Weekly Rest

Every employee is entitled to an uninterrupted weekly rest period of at least 36 consecutive hours. For Jewish employees, the rest day shall be Saturday. For non-Jewish employees, the rest day may be Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, according to the employee’s religion.

Section 8 – Prohibition on Working During Weekly Rest

An employer may not employ a worker during the weekly rest period except under a special permit from the Ministry of Labor. Working on a rest day entitles the employee to a compensation rate of at least 150% of regular pay, plus a substitute rest day.

Sections 9–9c – Religious and Cultural Accommodation

The law contains provisions for employers and employees in areas with significant non-Jewish populations, allowing for flexibility in rest day designation. It also prohibits discrimination in hiring based solely on an employee’s refusal to work on their religious rest day.

Chapter Three: Prohibited Work Hours

Section 10 specifies industries and work types that are subject to time restrictions. Certain businesses (e.g., retail stores, entertainment venues) may not open during the weekly rest period unless permitted by the Minister of Labor or local authority.

Chapter Four: Breaks

Section 20 – Mandatory Breaks

Every employee working 6 or more hours per day is entitled to a break of at least 45 minutes, of which at least 30 minutes must be consecutive. This break is generally unpaid unless the employee remains at the employer’s disposal.

In shift work with multiple employees, breaks may be staggered so that the workplace continues to operate.

Section 21 – Daily Rest Between Shifts

An employee is entitled to a rest period of at least 8 consecutive hours between the end of one shift and the beginning of the next.

Chapter Five: Supervision and Penalties

Labor Inspectors appointed by the Minister of Labor are authorized to enter workplaces and inspect attendance records, payslips, and employment conditions. Employers who violate the law are subject to criminal and civil penalties. An employer who employs workers in violation of this law may be fined or prosecuted.

Chapter Six: Miscellaneous Provisions

The law empowers the Minister of Labor to issue regulations adapting its provisions to specific industries, types of work, or employment arrangements (e.g., remote workers, home-based workers, agricultural workers). The law does not derogate from any more favorable terms provided in a collective agreement, extension order, or individual employment contract.