How many sick days do I accumulate in my first year of employment in Israel?

Under the Sick Pay Law 5736-1976, employees in Israel accumulate 1.5 sick days per month of employment, giving a maximum of 18 days in the first year. Unused sick days carry forward — the overall cap is 90 accumulated days, reached after 5 full years of employment. There is no waiting period before sick leave starts to accumulate; entitlement begins from day one. Pay during sick leave is structured as follows: the first sick day is unpaid, days 2–3 are paid at 50% of normal daily wage, and day 4 onward is paid at 100%. The employer pays sick leave directly — not Bituach Leumi (National Insurance Institute).

Foreign workers on valid work permits accumulate sick days on exactly the same terms. Sick days do not convert to cash on termination — unlike unused annual leave, which must be paid out. A medical certificate from a licensed Israeli physician is required for any sick leave claim, and most employers require notification on the first day of absence. If an employer refuses to pay sick leave, the employee can file a claim in the Regional Labor Court; the 7-year limitation period applies. For more detail, see Annual Leave, Sick Leave and Public Holidays in Israel: Complete Guide.