Labor Court Orders MDA to Pay 40,000 Shekels for Pregnancy Discrimination

The Labor Court has ordered Magen David Adom (MDA) to pay 40,000 shekels in compensation to a former employee after ruling that the organization unlawfully discriminated against her during her pregnancy by halting her shift assignments without a hearing or explanation.

Pregnancy Disclosure and Sudden Shift Cuts

The employee worked at MDA for two years, initially serving as a coronavirus tracker. In July 2022, she notified her employers of her pregnancy and was subsequently transferred to a video hotline position that did not involve direct contact with COVID-19 patients. However, during her seventh month of pregnancy, her work was abruptly suspended for two months without any formal hearing, explanation, or involvement from human resources.

Court Findings and Legal Rationale

Presiding Judge Reut Shmerler-Bags and public representatives determined that while the employee was not formally dismissed—since she worked part-time and was eventually offered a return—she suffered explicit workplace discrimination due to her pregnancy. MDA argued in court that the shift cancellation stemmed from low productivity, disciplinary issues, and negative workplace behavior, but failed to provide sufficient evidence supporting these claims.

Under the Women's Employment Act, employers are strictly prohibited from reducing the job scope or income of a pregnant woman without obtaining prior authorization from the Commissioner. The court emphasized that the mere fact that pregnancy served as a consideration in halting her shifts constitutes illegal discrimination.

Financial Penalties and Compensation Breakdown

In addition to the primary damages, the court ordered MDA to cover multiple financial components stemming from the violation. The penalty breakdown includes: