What is a Night Shift
A night shift in Israel is not simply working late. A shift is generally considered a night shift if at least 2 hours of work fall between 22:00 and 06:00. This matters because special rules apply to working hour calculations for such shifts.
When Overtime Begins
The key point: during night work, overtime can start earlier — after just 7 hours of work.
Example
A person worked from 23:00 to 08:00 — that is 9 hours of work. More than 2 hours fall between 22:00 and 06:00, making it a night shift. 7 hours are regular, 2 hours are overtime.
Night Work Bonus
Not every night shift automatically includes a separate "night bonus". The night shift classification primarily affects the length of the normal working day and when overtime begins.
Additional improved conditions may depend on your industry, collective agreement, extension order, or specific workplace.
Limitations
Restriction: an employee cannot work more than 58 hours per week including overtime.
If you work nights, it is especially important to keep your payslips and record your shift start and end times. Night shifts are where calculation tricks appear most often — hours seem to have been worked, but the payslip suddenly shows "nothing special".
Summary
A night shift is a separate work mode. Overtime may start after just 7 hours of work.