Employee Working Hours and Overtime Regulations in Turkey

The typical working week is ≤45 hours, divided equally across the days of the week unless otherwise agreed (6 days * 7,5 hours). Any working hours that exceed this limit count as overtime, which must be justified by national interest, the nature of the operation or the need to increase output. Overtime wages are remunerated at 1.5 times the normal hourly rate – or the employee can choose to take the equivalent time off in lieu (1.5 hours per extra hour worked) within 6 months. Overtime wages must be remunerated at 2 times the normal hourly rate in case employee works in national holidays announced by government authorities.

If the contract specifies a working week of <45 hours, overtime is remunerated at 1.25 times the normal hourly rate – or the employee can choose to take the equivalent time off in lieu (1.25 hours per extra hour worked) within 6 months.

The maximum overtime hours cannot exceed 270 hours in a year. In addition, following employees are not allowed to do overtime:

a) Employees who are under 18 years of age,

b) Employees who are pregnant, just gave a birth,

c) Employees who are working with definite term employment contract,

d) Employees who are proving they are lack of sanitary conditions.

The employee’s consent is required for overtime work.