Labor Law

Labour law governs the relationship between employees and employers, covering every stage from the formation of the employment relationship to its termination. Matters such as termination of the employment contract, severance and notice pay, reinstatement, and work accidents are among the most common areas of dispute for both employees and employers. This page is intended to provide general information on these subjects; any assessment of a specific matter is made according to the particular circumstances of the file.

Scope of the Practice Area

Labour law disputes most often arise around the ending of an employment relationship. The principal subjects in this area include:

• Termination of the employment contract with just cause, valid cause, or without cause
• Assessment of severance pay and notice pay claims
• Reinstatement actions brought on the ground that a termination is invalid
• Claims for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages arising from work accidents and occupational illnesses
• Overtime, annual leave, and other employee receivables

These matters are evaluated within the framework of the relevant legislation, in particular Labour Law No. 4857 and the Turkish Code of Obligations No. 6098.

How the Process Generally Works

In many labour law disputes, applying to a mediator before filing a lawsuit is a precondition to the action. For claims relating to severance and notice pay, reinstatement, and employee receivables, the mediation process is conducted first. Where no settlement is reached, the dispute is brought before the labour courts.

In reinstatement claims, it is important to act within the statutory periods prescribed from the date of termination. Missing these periods may result in a loss of rights.

Points Clients Should Note

Retaining documents at every stage of the employment relationship is important for the sound conduct of the process. In particular, the employment contract, payslips, working-time records, the termination notice, and any correspondence are relevant to the assessment. In the case of a work accident, the timely notification of the accident to the relevant institutions and the preservation of medical records should also be borne in mind. Keeping track of statutory periods can be decisive for the exercise of rights.

How the Firm Assists

Our firm provides legal advisory and litigation services in the field of labour law to both the employee and the employer side. In this context, legal support is offered on matters such as the assessment of the specific case, participation in the mediation process, and the conduct of disputes before the labour courts. Each file is handled according to its own characteristics, and information is provided within the framework of the applicable legislation.