Turkish Courts Issue Landmark Rulings on Remote Work and Job Transfers

Turkish high courts have issued significant rulings regarding employee rights in cases of remote work and forced job transfers.

In a remote work case, a Regional Court of Justice ruled in favor of a foreign trade manager who was dismissed for absenteeism. The court noted that the employer had continued to pay full 30-day social security premiums and had not objected to the remote work arrangement for an extended period, effectively establishing it as an accepted working method.

The Court of Cassation (Yargıtay) also issued a precedent-setting decision regarding job transfers. The court ruled that employees can challenge unilateral transfers that result in substantial changes to working conditions, such as being moved hundreds of kilometers away or receiving a salary reduction. The ruling clarifies that even if a transfer is considered a management decision, its legality can be reviewed if it serves a legal interest for the employee.