Last Updated on March 18, 2020

Learn a new Hebrew term and commonly used abbreviation – חל”ת – chalat.

You’ve obviously been glued to the news broadcasts and if you have been listening carefully you will have heard broadcasters regularly referring to “Chalat”.  What is Chalat and what are your rights?

‘Chalat’ in Hebrew –  חל”ת – is an abbreviation for the term “Hofsha L’lo Tashlum” – חופשה ללא תשלום – or in English – Leave of absence without pay

What are your basic rights?

The website Kolzchut explains as follows:

• An employee may, with the consent of the employer, take a leave of absence without leave of employment.
• The duration of the absence will be in agreement with both parties
• The employee is entitled to return to work under the same conditions as he worked before taking a leave of absence
• An employee who has been on forced leave for at least 30 days may be entitled to unemployment benefits in some cases
• The employer has a duty to pay Social Security (Bituach Leumi) during the first two months of vacation.

All the information you need regarding your rights and the Corona virus

All the information you need regarding your rights and the Coronavirus can be found on the Kolzchut website – in Hebrew only