Will the Private Sector Suffer Financially During War?

What Reality Looks Like in the Private Sector

Imagine working at a private company when the country enters a state of emergency. You are asked to stay home, but unlike government employees, you do not know what will appear on your payslip. In practice, you find that you must be absent from work for at least ten consecutive days to qualify for any compensation — and only if you meet additional conditions.

What the Laws Actually Say

In Israel, during a state of emergency, there are two main frameworks for unpaid leave: one for the public sector and one for the private sector. Government employees may receive up to 100% of their salary even if they do not report to work, while private-sector employees must be absent for at least ten consecutive days to qualify for any compensation, and the compensation itself is capped at up to 70% of regular pay. These substantial gaps create inequality between the sectors, especially in situations of war and emergency. The legal basis for unemployment benefits is the National Insurance Law, and the specific framework for Operation Iron Sword was approved by the Knesset Labor, Welfare and Health Committee.

When it is relevant — checklist

✓You work in the private sector
✓You had to miss work because of a state of emergency
✓You have not reached agreements with your employer on pay
✓You were absent for fewer than ten consecutive days
✓You are worried about how sector gaps affect your pay

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Questions Everyone Asks — And No One Asks the Lawyer

Can I receive full pay if I was absent for fewer than ten days?−

Unfortunately, if you have not reached agreements with your employer, the framework requires at least ten days of absence to receive compensation from the state. However, an employer who chooses to pay voluntarily may do so — there is no legal obligation.

What counts as an emergency in which I may be absent?−

Emergencies include war, Home Front Command instructions to close workplaces, and natural disasters that prevent you from getting to work.

What if I already missed work and am unsure of my rights?−

The first step is to review your agreements with your employer and consult a lawyer for legal advice.

Can my employer require me to work during an emergency?−

In some situations, yes — it depends on the specific circumstances and Home Front Command instructions. It is worth checking whether the demand is lawful before you decide how to act.

How can I protect myself in the future?−

Make sure you have clear agreements with your employer and stay aware of your statutory rights.

Real situations — which side are you on?

Ronit is an accountant at a private company who had to miss work because of movement restrictions. She is not entitled to compensation from the state because she was absent for fewer than ten days, and her employer did not commit to anything beyond the law.
Yossi is a government employee who had to stay home during the war. He receives up to 100% of his salary even without working.
Dana works at a high-tech company and had to be absent due to a state of emergency. Her employer voluntarily arranged full compensation for her — but that is the employer’s voluntary decision, not a legal right.

What to do now

The first step is to review your agreements with your employer on working conditions and pay during a state of emergency. If you ignore the situation, you may end up with significantly reduced pay and miss economic rights you are owed.

Are You in the Private Sector? Here's How You Might Be Financially Impacted During War