Turkish court upholds dismissal of worker who lied about family illness

A Turkish Regional Court of Justice has issued a precedent-setting ruling regarding the termination of a retail sales employee who lied to their employer to obtain leave. The employee, identified as İ. B., requested time off by claiming their mother was ill, but was subsequently discovered to have spent the time meeting a girlfriend instead.

Following the discovery, the employer terminated the employment contract without notice or severance pay, citing a breach of trust and lack of honesty under Article 25/II of the Labor Law. While the employee filed a lawsuit claiming the dismissal was due to union activities and sought compensation, the initial Labor Court ruled the dismissal was based on a valid reason.

The Regional Court of Justice (BAM) 8th Civil Chamber ultimately upgraded the classification of the dismissal from a valid reason to a justified cause for immediate termination. The court noted that the employee's false statement violated the principles of honesty and loyalty, making it impossible for the employer to be compelled to continue the working relationship.