Employing teenagers in Israel during summer vacation

In Israel, many employers customarily employ teenagers during the summer vacation. Since the school year is coming to a close, we are recapping highlights of the Youth Employment Law to remind employers about what is permitted and prohibited when employing teenagers.

The Ministry of Labor recently tightened its law enforcement measures, including with regard to the employment of teenagers. Therefore, we recommend that employers should review their teen hiring practices and ensure compliance with the statutory provisions.

From what age does the law permit employers to employ teenagers?

Employers are permitted to employ teenagers who are at least 14 years old during summer vacation.

Teens between the ages of 14 and 15 may only be employed to perform easy tasks that are not deleterious to their health or their normal development.

It is important to keep in mind that, as soon as the school year starts, employers are only allowed to employ teenagers who are at least 15 years old, and not during school hours.

Do employers need a special permit in order to employ teenagers?

No. However, employers must retain photocopies of the teenagers’ ID cards (or of their parents), along with a medical certificate from a general practitioner attesting that the teenager is fit to work, which are preconditions to employing teenagers.

Until what hour are employers allowed to employ teenagers?

Employers are allowed to employ teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 only until 20:00 during summer vacation.

Employers are allowed to employ teenagers who are at least 16 years old until no later than 01:00 during summer vacation, subject to the following conditions:

• there is no school the next day;
• if their shift ends after 23:00, the employer is responsible for driving them home, either personally or by a person on the employer’s behalf.

Are employers allowed to have teenagers working overtime?

No. Employers are prohibited from assigning teenagers to overtime work.

Employers are permitted to employ teenagers between the ages of 14 and 15 for a maximum of 8 hours of work per day, and not more than 40 hours per week.

Employers are permitted to employ teenagers who are at least 16 years old for a maximum of 9 hours of work per day, provided that it does not exceed 40 hours of work per week.

In any case, employers are obligated to give teenagers daily breaks totalling 45 minutes, at least 30 minutes of which are continuous, after 6 hours of work.

Are employers allowed to employ teenagers for work on Saturdays?

No. The law strictly prohibits employers from employing teenagers during the weekly rest. This is an absolute prohibition and employers cannot obtain permits to employ teenagers during the weekly rest. The weekly rest is 36 hours from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.

What about probationary periods?

A probationary period (or apprenticeship) is considered a period of employment for all intents and purposes, entitling teenagers to wages and rights on a pro rata basis. This also applies to training courses in preparation for employment at summer day camps.

The Youth Employment Law also regulates additional aspects, such as the minimum wage payable to teenage employees, documenting of hours of work, payment for commuting to and from work, and other provisions protecting the rights of working teenagers.

Our firm is at your service to answer any other questions you may have about employing teenagers. Have a safe and pleasant summer! 

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Adv. Noemie Amar is an associate in the firm’s Employment department.

Our Employment department, which is ranked annually by international and local legal directories, has extensive experience in providing comprehensive high-quality legal advice to local and international employers on a variety of complex issues and is at your service.