Bayraktar Attorneys advises employers and employees on Turkish labor and employment law. Whether you are hiring staff in Turkey, restructuring your workforce or dealing with a dispute, we explain your rights and obligations clearly and represent you when you need it, all in English.
Turkish employment rules are detailed and change often. We keep track of them for you and turn them into plain, practical advice, so you can make decisions with confidence.
Talk to an English-speaking labor lawyer today, whether you are an employer or an employee. The first consultation is free.
Labor law questions rarely wait, and the stakes are personal for staff and commercial for companies. Our team acts on both sides, which means we understand how the other side thinks and can advise you realistically.
We help you with the full range of employment matters, including:
Getting the contract and the day-to-day conditions right prevents most disputes. We prepare clear agreements and advise on the core rules that apply to every workplace in Turkey.
Contracts can be for an indefinite or a fixed term, and full or part time. A written contract is important for clarity, and certain terms, such as a fixed term, generally need to be in writing to be relied on. We draft agreements that fit your role and protect your position.
Weekly working time is generally capped at 45 hours. Work above that limit usually counts as overtime and is paid at an increased rate. We advise on how to record hours and pay overtime correctly.
Employees generally earn paid annual leave once they complete one year of service, and the number of days rises with length of service. Wages must be at least the national minimum wage, which is set each year. We confirm the current figures when we advise you.
Ending an employment relationship is where costs and disputes usually arise. We make sure a termination is handled lawfully, whether you are the employer carrying it out or the employee affected by it.
An employee with at least one year of service is generally entitled to severance pay when the relationship ends for a qualifying reason. Severance is usually calculated as around 30 days of gross wage for each year of service, subject to a ceiling set by law. We calculate what is owed and check it is paid correctly.
Either side normally has to give notice before ending an indefinite contract, and the notice period grows with length of service. If proper notice is not given, notice pay is due instead. We advise on the correct period and the amount involved.
In workplaces that meet the size and seniority thresholds, a dismissal must rest on a valid reason. An employee who believes a dismissal was unfair can bring a reinstatement claim within the time limit. We advise employers on doing this properly and employees on challenging an unfair dismissal.
For most individual labor disputes, such as claims for severance, notice, unpaid wages or reinstatement, the parties must first attempt mediation before going to court. This step is compulsory, and a case filed without it can be rejected.
We represent you throughout, from the mediation table to the labor courts if a settlement is not reached. Our aim is to resolve the matter quickly and on good terms where we can, and to fight your corner firmly where we cannot.
If you employ foreign staff, or you are a foreign national working in Turkey, employment law and immigration rules apply together. A foreign employee generally needs a work permit, and the employment terms must still meet Turkish labor standards. We coordinate the two, alongside work permits for employers and work permits for employees, so your hiring is compliant from day one.
We listen to your situation, whether you are an employer or an employee, and explain your position and options clearly.
We review the contract, correspondence and facts, calculate any amounts at stake, and set out a practical plan.
Where a matter can be settled, we negotiate for you. Where a step must be taken, such as a lawful termination, we prepare it correctly.
For most disputes we represent you in the compulsory mediation stage and press for a fair outcome without the cost of court.
If mediation does not resolve the matter, we take your case to the labor courts and pursue it to a conclusion.
We act for employers and employees, so we understand how each side approaches a dispute.
We explain Turkish labor law in plain English, with no jargon and no guesswork.
We aim for a sensible settlement first, and litigate firmly when that is the right course.
Employment, work permits and company matters handled together by one team.
Atty. Nevzat Oğulcan Bayraktar
Confidential, English-speaking labor law support for employers and employees in Turkey.
This page provides general information about labor and employment law in Turkey and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, please contact Bayraktar Attorneys for a consultation.
