1. Overview of Turkish Employment Law

Employment relations in Turkey are primarily governed by the Turkish Labor Law No. 4857, along with related legislation such as:

• Social Insurance and General Health Insurance Law
• Occupational Health and Safety Law
• Law on Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Turkish Code of Obligations (for employment arrangements not covered by Labor Law)

These regulations ensure fair working conditions and set the standards for contracts, wages, working hours, termination procedures, and employee rights.

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2. Employment Contracts in Turkey

Types of Employment Contracts

Employers may use several contract types, including:

• Indefinite-term contracts – the most common and recommended format
• Fixed-term contracts – permitted only for temporary or project-based work
• Part-time contracts
• Remote work contracts (popular after digitalization trends)

Mandatory Elements

An employment contract in Turkey should include:

• Job description
• Salary and benefits
• Working hours
• Duration (if fixed-term)
• Conditions for termination
• Workplace location

Contracts may be written or verbal, but written agreements are strongly encouraged for legal clarity.

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3. Working Hours and Overtime in Turkey

Standard Working Hours

• Maximum 45 hours per week, typically spread across five or six days
• Flexible scheduling is allowed if mutually agreed upon

Overtime Regulations

Overtime is any work exceeding 45 hours per week. Key rules include:

• Overtime pay is 150% of the hourly wage
• Employees may agree to compensatory time off instead of overtime pay
• Annual overtime hours cannot exceed 270 hours

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4. Minimum Wage and Salary Payments

Turkey adjusts the national minimum wage annually. Employers are legally required to:

• Pay salaries monthly
• Record payroll accurately
• Provide payslips
• Withhold and declare income tax and social security contributions

Benefits such as meal allowances, transport payments, and bonuses may be offered but are not mandatory unless defined by contract or collective agreement.

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5. Social Security and Insurance Obligations

Employers must register employees with the Social Security Institution (SGK) and pay monthly contributions covering:

• Retirement
• Health insurance
• Unemployment insurance
• Occupational accident and disease insurance

Contributions are shared between employer and employee, with employers paying the majority.

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6. Annual Leave and Public Holidays

Paid Annual Leave

Employees are entitled to annual leave based on length of service:

• 14 days (1–5 years of service)
• 20 days (5–15 years)
• 26 days (15+ years)
• Additional leave days for young workers and those over 50

Unused leave cannot be waived; it must be paid upon termination.

Public Holidays

Turkey has official public and religious holidays, during which employees are entitled to paid leave. Work on public holidays requires double pay unless compensated otherwise.

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7. Sick Leave and Health Coverage

Employees who are temporarily unable to work due to illness can receive:

• Medical leave based on a doctor’s report
• Sick pay issued by SGK starting from the third day of illness

Employers must maintain the employee’s job position during certified medical leave.

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8. Maternity, Paternity & Parental Rights

Turkey provides strong protections for families:

• 16 weeks of maternity leave (8 before birth, 8 after)
• 1 week of paternity leave
• Optional unpaid parental leave
• Right to request part-time work after childbirth

Pregnant employees also receive workplace safety protections and cannot be dismissed solely due to pregnancy.

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9. Termination of Employment and Severance Pay

Termination must comply with legal procedures depending on the type of contract.

Employer-Initiated Termination

For indefinite-term contracts, employers must provide:

• Valid reason (e.g., performance, behavioral issues, operational need)
• Notice periods, ranging from 2 to 8 weeks based on seniority
• Severance pay if the employee worked at least 1 year

Employee Resignation

Employees must also serve a notice period unless resigning for a justified reason.

Severance Pay

Calculated as one month’s salary per year of service, payable upon:

• Employer-initiated termination (non-misconduct)
• Retirement
• Military service
• Marriage (women, within 1 year)
• Death

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10. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

All workplaces in Turkey must follow the Occupational Health and Safety Law, which requires:

• Risk assessments
• Regular training and inspections
• Workplace accident reporting
• Safety specialists and workplace physicians (based on risk class and size)

Non-compliance results in administrative fines and potential criminal liability.