Q. How many days of annual paid leave are employees entitled to in Turkey, and how does it increase with years of service?
Under Article 53 of Labor Law No. 4857, employees are entitled to:
- 14 days (1–5 years of service)
- 20 days (5–15 years)
- 26 days (15+ years)
Employees under 18 or over 50 receive a minimum of 20 days, regardless of tenure.
Q. When does an employee become eligible to take annual leave under Turkish labor law?
As per Article 53, an employee becomes eligible for annual leave after completing 1 year of service with the same employer. This includes the probation period, and once eligible, the leave can be taken in parts or all at once, with employer approval.
Q. Can unused annual leave be carried forward or paid out upon termination?
Yes. According to Article 59, unused annual leave is either carried over (for up to 5 years) or paid in cash if the employment ends. Employers must settle any outstanding leave days in the final wage payment upon termination or resignation.
Q. How long is maternity leave in Turkey, and how is it divided before and after childbirth?
Under Article 74 of Labor Law No. 4857, female employees are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave — 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after birth. In cases of multiple births, this increases by 2 weeks. Additional unpaid leave may also be requested.
Q. How many days of paid paternity leave are fathers entitled to in Turkey?
As per the Public Personnel Law and private sector practice, male employees are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave following the birth of their child. While not specified in Law No. 4857, this is commonly applied under Cabinet Decisions and employer policy.
Q. What other personal leave entitlements are available in Turkey (marriage, death, adoption)?
According to regulations aligned with Labor Law and civil service standards:
- Marriage leave: 3 days
- Bereavement (parent, spouse, child): 3–5 days
- Adoption leave: 8 weeks (for mothers)
These are generally paid leaves but should be confirmed in the company’s internal policy or collective agreement.
Q. How is sick leave managed under Turkish labor law, and is it paid?
There is no specific article in Law No. 4857 for sick leave, but under Social Security Law No. 5510, employees on medical leave (with a doctor’s report) receive temporary incapacity allowance from SGK (Social Security Institution) after the second day of illness.
Q. Can an employer terminate an employee who is on long-term medical leave?
Yes, under Article 25/1(b) of Labor Law No. 4857, if an employee’s medical leave exceeds the notice period plus 6 weeks, the employer has the right to terminate the contract. However, proper medical documentation and notice are required to comply with legal process.
Q. Are breastfeeding breaks provided by law for new mothers, and how long are they?
Article 74 of Labor Law No. 4857 grants nursing mothers 1.5 hours of daily paid breastfeeding leave until the child is 1 year old. The mother decides how to divide this time, and it is counted as part of the workday.
Q. Can parents apply for part-time work or unpaid parental leave to care for children?
Yes. Following maternity or adoption leave, employees may request part-time work until the child reaches primary school age. This right is regulated by Supplementary Article 5 of Law No. 4857 and must be submitted with documentation of the child’s status.
Q. What are the official public holidays in Turkey and do employees get paid time off?
Turkey recognizes 14 official public holidays, including New Year’s Day, National Sovereignty Day (April 23), and Republic Day (October 29). Employees must receive paid leave on these days, as stipulated in Law No. 2429 on National Holidays and General Holidays.
Q. If an employee works on a public holiday, what compensation are they entitled to?
As per Article 47 of Labor Law No. 4857, if an employee works on a public holiday, they are entitled to double pay (200%) for that day. This must be paid in addition to their regular monthly wage, unless a compensatory day off is provided.
