This is a true story. The names have been changed for obvious reasons.
In 2004, Sharon was hired as a temp replacement. She was well liked and did her job to the employer’s satisfaction. 2 days before completion of 6 month’s tenure, it became known to the employer that Sharon was pregnant. She was fired on the spot.
This despite the fact that the Women’s Employment Law specifies that a pregnant woman from the fifth month of pregnancy and on cannot be terminated without express written permission in advance by the Minister of Labor. This permission is very rarely granted except in extreme circumstances. The employer did not even attempt to procure the permission letter.
Sharon, smartly filed an anonymous complaint with the Trade, Industry and Labor Ministry’s hot-line.
The Ministry investigated the case, and their attorneys filed a suit against the company for purposefully ignoring labor laws and infringing on Sharon’s rights as well as discrimination in employment, which in itself is a serious crime.
After some bargaining, the employer agreed to admit to the charges and was fined 80,000 shekels !
Sharon sued the employer in labor court and was awarded compensation for the loss of work until the end of her pregnancy, for the difference in lost maternity stipend from Social Security as well as the time after her maternity leave when she would have returned to her position without the employer being able to reduce her pay, position or fire her for an additional 90 days.
Stand up for your rights ! File complaints against employers who do not obey the law and infringe on what you are entitled to !
Each case is different and the above case is a text book example. In case of doubt consultation is advised.
Moshe Egel-Tal, CSPP
Founder and CEO, Israpay "making payroll simple"
Site: http://www.israpay.com
Email: mo***********@***il.com
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