FAQ

Employment law FAQ: unfair dismissal, severance pay, notice pay, reinstatement, overtime and mobbing cases. Istanbul employment lawyer answers your most common questions.

Employment Law FAQ

I was fired, what should I do?

First identify the termination reason. Apply to mandatory mediation within 1 month of service of the termination notice; if mediation fails, file the lawsuit within 2 weeks from the final mediation report.

How is severance pay calculated?

30 days of your last gross salary is paid for each full year.

I'm not receiving overtime pay, what can I do?

Keep your overtime records and consult a lawyer. You can claim up to 5 years back.

I had a work accident, what are my rights?

You can claim temporary disability allowance from SSI and material/moral compensation from the employer.

I'm being subjected to mobbing, what should I do?

Collect evidence, complain to HR, and if you don't get results, terminate with just cause and file a lawsuit.

Can I receive severance pay if I resign?

As a rule, a resigning employee cannot claim severance. Exceptions include just-cause termination by the employee (unpaid wages, unregistered work, mobbing — Labor Law Art. 24), retirement, military service, and a female employee leaving within 1 year of marriage.

How many weeks is the notice period by tenure?

2 weeks for less than 6 months of service, 4 weeks for 6 months to 1.5 years, 6 weeks for 1.5 to 3 years, and 8 weeks beyond 3 years (Labor Law Art. 17). Non-compliance triggers notice pay.

How long does a reinstatement lawsuit take?

Mediation concludes within weeks; the litigation stage varies with court workload and appeals. Although the law envisages expedited proceedings, total duration differs case by case.

What is the limitation period for labor receivables?

Severance, notice, overtime and annual leave claims are subject to a 5-year limitation period (introduced by Law 7036), generally running from the termination date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mandatory mediation required for employee claims?

Under art. 3 of the Labour Courts Act no. 7036, mediation is a condition of suit for severance, notice, overtime, annual leave and reinstatement claims. Suits filed without the mediator's final report attached are dismissed on procedural grounds. The process lasts up to three weeks, extendable by one more week. The outcome depends on the specific evidence and the court's assessment; consult an attorney for your individual situation.

What if my employer underreports my SGK days?

A service-determination suit against the Social Security Institution can establish underreported insurance days. Under art. 86 of Law no. 5510, the suit must be filed within five years of the end of the year in which the work was performed. Payslips, bank records, exit documents and witness statements are the main evidence; the labour court of the workplace location has jurisdiction. The outcome depends on the specific evidence and the court's assessment; consult an attorney for your individual situation.

Disclaimer

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only. Each matter should be assessed based on its specific facts and circumstances.

Legal Basis (for review)

Statutes cited in this page's curated answers. Application to a concrete dispute is subject to attorney review.

  • 7036 sayılı İş Mahkemeleri Kanunu
  • 5510 sayılı Kanun

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