Unemployment in Israel

Finally thought we had things together. Bought an apartment, employed in Israel, kids in school. What could possibly rock the boat? Well, these days loyalty and job retention isn't easy - - perhaps even a generational shift that's gotten out of hand. But that's a conversation for another time. 

Today we will discuss the unemployment process in Israel and the very fascinating experience that it is. 

First, your employer by law must call you in for a shimua. You have every right to hire a lawyer and ask for a document of all the claims. Just understand that a lawyer isn't a magic wand that'll keep you the job. In most cases there's some type of management problem or toxic work environment - - or maybe you simply were not the right fit. Know that you will receive and invoice. The shimua in Israel is supposed to be a fair hearing where the employee can listen to feedback from their employer and then go about to improve themselves. Unfortunately this isn't always the case and employers terminate anyway, which creates a court system in Israel that's very favorable of employees versus their employers. A shimua is actually sourced in Devarim, which is remarkable that a Jewish state abides to Torah law. Mind blowing, in fact. 

In any case, after the shimua and termination letter is shared with the recording or transcription of the meeting, the country has services within each city, known as a Lishka office that the person must report to every week (depending on age and circumstances) to get paid unemployment by Bituach Leumi. The system is one such that I don't recall the United States having - - that when you lose a job, a representative is given to you to help you find something new. The downside I have found of the Lishka is that the job postings don't share salary or if the position is temporary or full time. So there's room for improvement in the system. There are those who show up to the Lishka just to get the payment. It is also almost like a punishment to show up in the flesh, weekly, pressing your index finger down like you're in some kind of unemployment jail. The process is socialist at its finest which was the first in a while that it is a clear difference from life professionally abroad.

More to come on the unemployment adventures and insight.