Employment (Equal Opportunities) Law, 1988
Encyclopedia
Employment Law is an Israel
i law passed in 1988, that prohibits the employer from discriminating
between job applicants or employees on the following criteria:
Anything required by the character or substance of the position or job is not be deemed discriminatory by the law. Prohibition of discrimination applies to hiring, working conditions, promotion, professional training or studies, discharge or severance pay and benefits
and payments provided for employees in connection with their retirement from employment. The law was enacted in 1988, and replaced an earlier 1981 law.
The law further provides that, under certain conditions, provisions in an enactment, collective agreement
or employment contract made in connection with maternity are not to be considered discriminatory. It also provides that any rights given to working mothers are to be given equally to working fathers, under certain conditions. Protection from sexual harassment
is addressed in s. 7, which states that an employer shall not "act against" an employee who rejects, or opposes, any act of a sexual nature committed by the employer or by the supervisor of the employee.
Violation of the law constitutes both a civil
and criminal offence
, and courts may grant compensation even when no material damage was caused. In addition, civil proceedings can be initiated by an employee, an employee organization or civil rights
group, with special protection granted to the worker filing the complaint. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is responsible for promoting the law.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i law passed in 1988, that prohibits the employer from discriminating
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
between job applicants or employees on the following criteria:
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
- Pregnancy
- Fertility treatment
- Parenting
- Age
- Race
- Religion
- Nationality
- Country of origin
- Political view
- Reservist duty
Anything required by the character or substance of the position or job is not be deemed discriminatory by the law. Prohibition of discrimination applies to hiring, working conditions, promotion, professional training or studies, discharge or severance pay and benefits
Employee benefit
Employee benefits and benefits in kind are various non-wage compensations provided to employees in addition to their normal wages or salaries...
and payments provided for employees in connection with their retirement from employment. The law was enacted in 1988, and replaced an earlier 1981 law.
The law further provides that, under certain conditions, provisions in an enactment, collective agreement
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
or employment contract made in connection with maternity are not to be considered discriminatory. It also provides that any rights given to working mothers are to be given equally to working fathers, under certain conditions. Protection from sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
is addressed in s. 7, which states that an employer shall not "act against" an employee who rejects, or opposes, any act of a sexual nature committed by the employer or by the supervisor of the employee.
Violation of the law constitutes both a civil
Civil law (common law)
Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim...
and criminal offence
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
, and courts may grant compensation even when no material damage was caused. In addition, civil proceedings can be initiated by an employee, an employee organization or civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
group, with special protection granted to the worker filing the complaint. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is responsible for promoting the law.
External links
- חוק שוויון ההזדמנויות בעבודה, law in Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs(Hebrew)
- Commission for Equal Opportunity at Work (Hebrew)
- International Labour Organization