Turkey: Employee Rights/ Labour Relations

Kadın çalışanların gebelik ve doğum süreçlerinde korunması, yalnızca bireysel bir izin hakkı olarak değil; iş sağlığı ve güvenliği, eşitlik ilkesi, sosyal güvenlik hakkı ve aile yaşamının korunması bakımından bütüncül bir çalışma hayatı güvencesi olarak değerlendirilmelidir.

İşverenler, nitelikli iş gücüne sahip olabilmek ve nitelikli personeller sayesinde elinde bulundurduğu avantajın devamlılığını sağlayabilmek amacıyla çalışanlarına eğitim imkânı sunmakta; buna karşılık çalışanın belirli bir süre kendi bünyesinde çalışmaya devam etmesini, aksi hâlde eğitim bedelinin geri ödenmesini şart koşan eğitim sözleşmeleri imzalatmaktadır. Personelin taahhüt ettiği süreden önce işten ayrılması halinde ise yapılan eğitim giderlerinin çalışandan istenip istenemeyeceği sorusu gündeme gelmektedir.

Employers may provide training opportunities to their employees in order to develop a qualified workforce and maintain the competitive advantage derived from employing skilled personnel. In return, employees may be required to undertake to remain employed by the employer for a certain period, with training agreements stipulating that the cost of the training will be reimbursed if the employee leaves before the expiry of the agreed period.

Developments in information and communication technologies have led to significant transformations in working life; in particular, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the remote working model has become a widespread form of employment. The ability to carry out work without being tied to a specific location provides cost advantages and flexibility for employers, whilst also offering employees various opportunities in terms of time management and work-life balance.

Ekonomik dalgalanmalar, teknolojik gelişmeler, şirket birleşmeleri veya işverenin ticari faaliyetlerini tamamen sona erdirme kararı gibi çeşitli nedenlerle işyerleri zaman zaman faaliyetlerini tamamen durdurabilmekte ve kapanabilmektedir

For various reasons, such as economic fluctuations, technological developments, corporate mergers, or an employer’s decision to completely cease business operations, workplaces may occasionally cease operations entirely and close down.

Job security is one of the most important areas of labor law; and it aims to prevent the arbitrary termination of an employment contract by the employer. Regulations regarding job security limit the employer’s right to terminate and grant the employee the right to request reinstatement in the event of termination based on an invalid reason.

The Turkish Personal Data Protection Board has issued a landmark principle decision addressing the processing of biometric data for employee attendance tracking purposes. This decision establishes critical guidelines for employers regarding the lawful collection and use of sensitive biometric information in workplace settings. Understanding these new regulatory requirements is essential for organizations operating in Turkey to ensure compliance with data protection obligations.

Turkish labor law faces ongoing debate over whether Saturdays following national holidays that end on Friday should be classified as public holidays. This analysis examines how collective bargaining agreements...