Employment & Labor Law in Turkey: A Strategic Guide for Employers
Turkey’s dynamic business environment offers significant opportunities, but it is underpinned by a complex and robust legal framework designed to protect employee rights. For employers, navigating Turkish Labor Law—from hiring and contracts to termination and disputes—requires careful planning and expert legal guidance to ensure full compliance and mitigate substantial financial and legal risks.
This guide has been prepared by the expert team at Pi Legal Consultancy, a leading employment law firm in Turkey, to serve as a strategic resource for businesses operating in the country. Here, we will cover the key aspects of employment law from an employer’s perspective, helping you build a compliant, efficient, and resilient workforce.
Meet Your Lead Employment Lawyer in Turkey
Our employment law practice for employers is led by Sevcan Gökalp İraz, a senior attorney with extensive experience in navigating the Turkish Labor Code.
She specializes in providing strategic counsel to our corporate clients on all aspects of employment law, from drafting compliant employment contracts and internal policies to managing sensitive termination processes and representing employers in complex labor disputes. Her proactive approach helps businesses mitigate legal risks, ensure full compliance, and build strong, positive employer-employee relationships.
Our Core Employment Law Services for Businesses
Our team provides end-to-end legal support for employers navigating the complexities of Turkish Labor Law. We offer proactive and strategic counsel designed to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and protect your business at every stage of the employment lifecycle.
Employment Contracts & Company Policies We draft and review legally robust employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and internal company policies. Our goal is to create documents that protect your commercial interests, trade secrets, and intellectual property while complying fully with Turkish law.
Termination & Severance Processes We provide strategic guidance on all aspects of employment termination. This includes termination with just cause, mutual termination agreements, and the correct calculation of severance and notice payments. We manage this sensitive process in a way that minimizes your company’s legal risk and exposure to potential lawsuits.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation Our experienced litigators represent employers in all forms of labor disputes. We handle mandatory mediation proceedings and represent our clients in lawsuits before the Turkish Labour Courts, including re-employment cases and employee compensation claims.
Workplace Safety & Compliance (İSG) We advise businesses on their legal obligations regarding Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in Turkey. Our services help you create a compliant workplace, prevent administrative fines, and minimize your legal liability in the event of workplace accidents.
Legal Framework for Foreign Employees We manage the entire legal process for hiring foreign talent. This includes securing the necessary work permits and ensuring that the employment contracts and the status of your foreign employees are fully compliant with both Turkish immigration and labor laws.
Navigating the Future of Work: Remote Working in Turkey
The rise of remote and flexible work models has transformed the modern workplace, but it has also created a new and complex set of legal challenges for employers in Turkey. From drafting compliant remote work policies to understanding the data security and tax implications for remote staff, navigating this new landscape requires specialized expertise. At Pi Legal Consultancy, we have a deep focus on the evolving legal framework of remote working arrangements.
We have published an extensive series of articles on this topic to provide a comprehensive resource for employers. Explore our guides to learn more:
Remote Working in Turkey: Discover the core legal regulations, mandatory requirements for contracts, and the rights and obligations of both employers and employees in a remote setup. www.pilc.law/remote-working-in-turkey/
Taxation of Remote Workers in Turkey: A detailed guide on the fiscal obligations and potential tax advantages for companies with employees working from home or other remote locations. https://www.pilc.law/taxation-of-remote-workers-in-turkey/
The Five Biggest Remote Work Challenges: An analysis of the common legal and operational hurdles businesses face—such as data security, performance management, and occupational health—and how to overcome them. www.pilc.law/the-five-biggest-remote-work-challenges/
Serving Businesses in Istanbul, Ankara & Antalya
From our main offices, our team of employment lawyers provides seamless legal support to businesses across all of Turkey’s major economic hubs. We combine our deep knowledge of national labor laws with a practical understanding of the unique business dynamics in each key region.
Istanbul: The Corporate & Commercial Hub For companies in Turkey’s bustling commercial capital, we provide expert employee consultation in Istanbul on all labor law matters. We advise a diverse range of clients, from multinational corporations in the financial district to tech startups, offering strategic workplace consultancy in Istanbul to ensure full compliance and effective workforce management.
Ankara: The Administrative Center Our presence in Ankara provides a strategic advantage for businesses dealing with national labor authorities, social security institutions (SGK), and ministries. We represent employers in administrative proceedings and provide counsel on compliance issues that are managed at the capital level.
Antalya: The Tourism & Service Sector Hub Our services extend to the vital tourism and agricultural sectors on the Mediterranean coast. As your dedicated Antalya Turkey employment lawyer, we provide specialized advice for businesses in the hospitality industry, helping them manage seasonal employment contracts and the unique labor law challenges of the service sector.
Which law regulates working life in Turkey?
Law on Occupational Health and Safety (Numbered 6331) is the primary legislation in Turkey. The Law entered into force in 2012. The Law on Occupational Health and Safety was prepared as a conducive work for Turkey’s EU accession process. Employment lawyer in Turkey are specialized in this legislation and related regulations.In addition to this, Labor Law (Numbered 4857) regulates key aspects such as employment contracts, working hours and termination procedures. Moreover, Social Security and General Health Insurance Law (Numbered 5510) governs health coverage, pensions, and workplace accident liabilities, forming the financial and institutional basis of employee protection.
What are the labor rights in Turkey?
National employment legal norms aim at designing the relationship between governments and employers or employees. Every single side has a broad range of rights and/or responsibilities, based on an “employment contract”, introducing working conditions, working hours, duration, wage, holiday entitlement and termination. Besides, trade unions have a fundamental impact in the development of employment law and its practice.
There are four fundamental partners to be observed within the context of employment law: employers, employees, trade unions and international organizations such as International Labor Organization (ILO).
What are International Labour Standards?
The International Labour Organization (ILO) develops and promotes international labor standards aimed at ensuring decent work and fair conditions globally. Turkey, as a member state, incorporates many of these standards into its national legislation, influencing workplace rights and protections.
ILO is devoted to the facilitation of labor standards and the promotion of decent working conditions for all women and men on the global level.
What is the Labor Law in Turkey For Foreigners?
You can work as a foreign freelancer or as a worker for a foreign company. Nevertheless, a full-fledged legal assistance by international employment lawyers is very significant. Foreign workers should provide a legal stay in Turkey through the acquisition of Turkish citizenship or residence permit or work permit.
For more information see our articles:
According to Article 6 of the Law on International Workforce (No:6735), ‘foreigners who are within the scope of this Law are forbidden to work or be employed without obtaining a work permit’. Hence, foreign workers need to provide a work permit from the relevant Turkish authorities. There is only one exception of this norm under the same provision. Foreigners having an exemption from work permit under national or international instruments.
As analyzed in our article on Regulation on the Employer Responsibility for Deportation Costs of Foreigners, the new Regulation stipulates main expenses to be met by employers for foreigners working without work permit:
Employment Law FAQ – Questions and Answers
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about employment law in Turkey, along with concise answers tailored for your target audience:
What are the mandatory benefits for employees in Turkey?
Beyond the gross monthly salary, employers in Turkey are legally required to provide several key benefits. The most significant is the mandatory contribution to the Social Security Institution (SGK) for each employee, which covers health insurance, pension, and disability. Other mandatory benefits include official public holidays and paid annual leave, the minimum duration of which increases with the employee’s length of service.
What is the legal notice period for terminating an employment contract?
The mandatory notice period an employer must provide before terminating an indefinite-term employment contract depends on the employee’s length of service at the company:
- Less than 6 months of service: 2 weeks
- 6 months to 1.5 years of service: 4 weeks
- 1.5 years to 3 years of service: 6 weeks
- More than 3 years of service: 8 weeks
Failure to comply with these periods can result in the employer having to pay a “notice payment” in lieu of notice.
Can I hire foreign employees in my Turkish company?
Yes, you can. However, the process requires obtaining a Work Permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security for the foreign employee before they can start working. There are specific criteria your company must meet to be eligible to sponsor a foreign worker, such as having at least five Turkish employees for each foreigner hired (in most cases).
Why is it important to work with “employers’ lawyers” specifically?
Turkish Labor Law is strongly oriented towards protecting employee rights, with many complex regulations and precedents. Working with employers’ lawyers ensures that your legal counsel is focused exclusively on your company’s needs: mitigating risks from a business perspective, ensuring full compliance with all regulations, and vigorously protecting your interests in any disputes. This specialized approach is critical for effective workforce management and legal defense.
What is the role of an employment lawyer in Turkey?
An employment lawyer Turkey provides legal guidance to employers and employees on labor laws, including contract drafting, dispute resolution, and compliance with Turkish labor regulations.
Are written employment contracts mandatory in Turkey?
Yes, written employment contracts are required for certain employment relationships, particularly for fixed-term or indefinite-term contracts, ensuring clarity on terms like salary, working hours, and benefits.
Employment contracts of one year or longer must be prepared in writing. In addition, all fixed-term employment contracts, regardless of their duration, must also be in writing. If a written contract is not executed at the beginning of the employment, the employer is legally obliged to provide the employee with a written document within two months, specifying key terms such as general and specific working conditions, daily or weekly working hours, base salary and additional payments, payment schedule, the duration of the contract, and the termination procedures applicable to both parties. This obligation does not apply to fixed-term contracts lasting less than one month.
How are disputes between employers and employees resolved in Turkey?
Disputes are often resolved through mediation before proceeding to labor courts. An employment law firm Turkey can represent employers or employees during this process.
What are the rules for terminating an employee in Turkey?
Termination requires lawful reasons, proper notice, and severance pay if applicable. Employers must also follow procedures to avoid wrongful termination claims.
Can foreign nationals work in Turkey?
Yes, foreign nationals can work in Turkey, but they must obtain a valid work permit. A labor law firm Turkey can assist with the application process and compliance.
What are the working hour limits in Turkey?
The maximum working hours are 45 hours per week, typically distributed over six days. Overtime must be compensated according to Turkish labor law.
What is the severance pay entitlement in Turkey?
Employees who have worked for at least one year are entitled to severance pay upon termination, calculated based on the duration of their employment.
How does Turkish labor law protect employees’ rights?
Turkish labor law ensures fair treatment in areas like minimum wage, workplace safety, non-discrimination, and social security contributions.
What steps should employers take to comply with Turkish labor laws?
Employers should maintain proper documentation, comply with wage and hour laws, and ensure workplace policies align with legal requirements. Consulting an employment lawyer Turkey is highly recommended.
How does Pi Legal Consultancy assist with employment law matters?
Pi Legal Consultancy offers tailored legal services, including compliance audits, contract drafting, and dispute resolution, making it a trusted employment law firm Turkey.
Conclusion: A Strategic Approach to Employment Law
Navigating the complexities of Turkish Labor Law is not just an administrative task for employers; it is a critical component of risk management and a sound business strategy. A proactive approach to employment matters—from drafting solid contracts to managing terminations correctly—is essential for mitigating legal risks and fostering a stable, productive workplace.
This focus on proactive legal health is a cornerstone of our firm’s philosophy. For comprehensive legal support for your business in Turkey, covering everything from your corporate structure to your commercial agreements, our expert team is ready to be your long-term strategic partner.
Our Relevant Articles
All our articles and papers on employment law consultancy together with fully fledged solutions are available online here.
- The Work From Home During and Beyond the Pandemic
- Are We Ready for All Potential Challenges of Working Remotely?
- The Five Biggest Remote Work Challenges
- Remote Working in Turkey
- Taxation of Remote Workers in Turkey
- Residence Permits in Turkey
- Contract Law
- Turkish Citizenship by Investment
- Regulation on the Employer Responsibility for Deportation Costs of Foreigners