Whether you have lost your job, are owed wages, or run a business with staff, an employment lawyer in Antalya can tell you where you stand under Turkish labour law. Alkan Law Firm advises employees and employers on dismissals, severance pay, unpaid wages, workplace accidents and social security.
We work in English, German, Russian and Arabic as well as Turkish. Many of the people we help are foreign employees in tourism, hospitality and construction, or foreign business owners who employ staff in Antalya.
How we can help
For employees
- Claims for severance pay (kıdem tazminatı) and notice pay
- Unpaid wages, overtime, unused annual leave and public holiday pay
- Reinstatement claims after an unfair dismissal
- Compensation for workplace accidents and occupational illness
- Unregistered or under-reported work with the Social Security Institution (SGK)
- Reviewing settlement and release documents before you sign them
- Representation in mandatory mediation and before the labour courts
For employers
- Drafting and reviewing employment contracts, including fixed-term and seasonal contracts
- Planning terminations so that the correct procedure is followed
- Defending claims for severance, wages and reinstatement
- Work permits and the employment of foreign staff
- Confidentiality and non-compete clauses
Key points of Turkish employment law
Most private-sector employment is governed by the Labour Law No. 4857. Social security matters fall under Law No. 5510, and labour court procedure under the Labour Courts Law No. 7036. A few points come up again and again:
- Severance pay. Generally due if you have worked for the same employer for at least one year and the contract ends for one of the reasons set out in the law, such as dismissal without just cause or resignation for a just cause. It is calculated on your years of service and gross wage, subject to a legal ceiling.
- Notice pay. If an employer ends an indefinite contract without giving the required notice, it must pay wages for the notice period. The period depends on how long you have worked there.
- Job security. Employees with at least six months' service at a workplace with 30 or more employees can, in many cases, challenge a dismissal and ask to be reinstated. The employer must give a valid reason, in writing.
- Time limits. Claims for severance, notice pay, wages and annual leave are subject to limitation periods, and reinstatement claims have very short deadlines. Do not wait.
Foreign employees and work permits
Foreign nationals generally need a work permit to work in Turkey, and a residence permit alone is not enough. Employers who hire foreign staff without a permit face administrative fines, and the employee can face fines and problems with future permits.
Working without a permit does not mean you lose your rights. You can still claim the wages you earned. Your contract, payslips, bank transfers, messages and witnesses can all help prove the employment. For permit applications, see our residence permit and immigration pages.
Mandatory mediation and the process
Before you can sue for most employment claims, you must first apply to a mediator. This is required by Law No. 7036 for claims for wages, severance and other payments, and for reinstatement. Compensation claims arising from workplace accidents or occupational illness are an exception and can go straight to court.
- First meeting. We review your contract, payslips, SGK service record and the termination letter, and estimate what you may be owed.
- Mediation application. We file at the mediation office of the Antalya Courthouse. A mediator is appointed and meetings are held, often within a few weeks.
- Settlement or no agreement. If both sides agree, the signed agreement is binding and enforceable. If not, the mediator issues a final report.
- Labour court. We file the claim at the labour court in Antalya, usually supported by an expert report calculating the amounts.
- Appeal and enforcement. Judgments can be appealed. Once enforceable, unpaid amounts can be collected through enforcement proceedings.
Our managing attorney, Şerife Erkaya Alkan, is a registered mediator. In any dispute where our firm represents a party, she does not act as the mediator; the mediator is appointed independently. We prepare you for the mediation meetings and attend them with you. You can read more on our lawyers page.
Documents you will need
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Employment contract | Shows your start date, wage and working terms |
| Payslips and bank statements | Prove the wage actually paid |
| SGK service record (from e-Devlet) | Shows registered days and declared wage |
| Termination letter or messages | Show how and why the job ended |
| Work schedules, messages, witnesses | Help prove overtime and unregistered work |
If you have already left Turkey, you can authorise us through a power of attorney issued at a Turkish consulate, or by a local notary with an apostille and a sworn Turkish translation.
Fees
Fees are agreed in writing in advance and cannot be below the minimum fee tariff of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. Contact us to arrange a meeting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim severance pay if I resign?
Usually not, unless you resign for a just cause recognised by law, such as unpaid wages or serious misconduct by the employer, or in certain other cases listed in the law. We can check whether your situation qualifies.
I worked without a work permit. Can I still claim my wages?
Yes. The lack of a permit does not cancel your right to be paid for work you actually did. You will need evidence that the employment existed.
Do I have to go to mediation before suing?
For most claims for wages, severance and reinstatement, yes. Workplace accident and occupational illness compensation claims are an exception.
My employer asked me to sign a release form. Should I?
Release documents can affect your claims, so we suggest we review the document before you sign it.
Are seasonal hotel workers entitled to severance?
It depends on how the seasons were contracted and whether the employment is treated as continuous. Separate seasons may be added together in some cases, so have your records reviewed.
The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different; please consult a lawyer before taking any legal step. This page is published in accordance with the Professional Rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and the advertising ban for attorneys.