Request for approval to prevent employees from refusing to work on their weekly rest day.

Section 9(d)(1) of the Work and Rest Hours Law allows employees and job candidates to refuse to work on their weekly rest day, even for reasons unrelated to religion. This option does not apply in cases approved by the Cabinet Committee as specified in the law.

Who can submit a request for a permit

Employers who wish to employ workers on their weekly rest day can approach the committee to prevent employees from refusing to work on that day.

In which cases can the committee deliberate

• The committee does not consider requests regarding the obligation of employees or job candidates who refuse to work on Saturday in accordance with the prohibition based on the religious commandments they observe.
• The committee can also grant approval for a specific profession or role at the workplace.
• The committee can make a decision regarding a specific employee or role, or, broadly, regarding all employees at the workplace.
• The committee's decision to deny the right of refusal to an employee or a group of employees will be given under the following conditions:
  • Due to unique reasons related to the workplace.
  • Only when the refusal to work on the weekly rest day may cause significant harm to the workplace, the work process, or the provision of essential services to the public or part of it.
  • All while considering the welfare of the employees.

In which workplaces are employees not allowed to refuse to work on their weekly rest day

• Section 9(v)(b) of the Work and Rest Hours Law defines the list of types of work in which employees cannot refuse to work on Saturday.
• The section applies to employees who refuse to work on Saturday due to religious observance, as well as to employees who refuse to work on Saturday for any other reason.
• This section applies in the following places:
  • In a workplace that is a factory or institution, or parts of it, responsible for public security.
  • In work related to national security or the protection of the safety, well-being, or health of individuals.
  • In work related to hospitality in hotels.
  • In work related to electricity production and its distribution.
  • In work related to the provision of essential supplies or services, as determined by a decree from the Cabinet Committee, with the approval of the Knesset's Labor and Welfare Committee, if the Cabinet Committee believes that the application of the aforementioned sections may prevent the provision of such supplies or services.

What needs to be attached to the application

The following documents must be attached to the application:

• Accompanying letter.
• For inquiries regarding all employees or job candidates, –  a list of positions and the number of employees in each position must be attached
• For inquiries regarding some of the employees, departments, or positions, –  a list of positions along with the employees' details must be attached

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