Labor rights and severance pay regulations in Turkey

In Turkey, employees facing termination or considering resignation must understand specific legal procedures to protect their rights to severance and notice pay. Under Labor Law No. 4857, workers should first request a written termination notice that clearly states the reason for dismissal, as verbal instructions are insufficient for legal protection.

It is critical for employees to monitor their Social Security Institution (SGK) records via e-Devlet to ensure the employer has not used unfavorable exit codes, such as those citing misconduct, which can impact unemployment benefits and severance eligibility. Essential documentation to retain includes pay slips, bank statements, employment contracts, and communications with the employer.

Regarding resignations, employees do not automatically lose severance pay if they leave for specific legally recognized reasons. While quitting for a better job or personal preference typically disqualifies a worker from severance, rights are preserved in cases of unpaid wages, health issues defined by law, military service, marriage, or retirement. Additionally, workers may claim severance through justified termination if they face workplace harassment, threats, or failure to receive correct wages, provided they have completed at least one year of service with the same employer.