A dismissed employee may claim, where conditions are met, severance and notice pay, pay for unused annual leave, unpaid wages and overtime. To seek reinstatement, mediation must be filed within one month of the termination notice.
The rights arising from a dismissal depend on length of service, the reason for termination and the number of employees at the workplace.
1. Severance pay. Employees with at least one year of service dismissed for reasons other than misconduct under Labour Law art. 25/II receive 30 days' gross pay per year of service, capped at TRY 73,729.87 for 1 July – 31 December 2026.
2. Notice pay. Notice periods under art. 17: 2 weeks (under 6 months), 4 weeks (6 months – 1.5 years), 6 weeks (1.5 – 3 years), 8 weeks (over 3 years).
3. Unused annual leave is paid on termination (art. 59).
4. Reinstatement. Available at workplaces with at least 30 employees, for employees with at least 6 months' service on indefinite contracts (art. 18). Mediation must be filed within one month of the notice (art. 20).
5. Unemployment benefit. Requires 600 days of contributions in the last three years and 120 uninterrupted days before termination; apply to İŞKUR within 30 days.
6. Release forms signed within one month of termination are invalid (Code of Obligations art. 420).
7. Mediation is mandatory before employment claims; the limitation period for severance, notice and leave pay is 5 years.
This article is for general information as of 20 October 2026 and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a lawyer about your specific situation.
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