What are the Sick Leave Regulations in Turkey?

In Turkey, employees are entitled to paid sick leave under specific conditions. Here are the key details regarding sick leave:

  • Minimum Paid Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 1 week of paid sick leave per year, which can be taken upon providing a valid medical certificate after 2 days of absence. This certificate must be submitted to the Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu).

  • Compensation:

    • The first 2 days of sick leave are not legally entitled to compensation. However, it is standard practice for employers to continue paying the employee’s salary during this period.
    • After the first 2 days, if the sick leave extends beyond this, the Social Insurance Institution (SGK) provides disability compensation starting from the 3rd day.

  • Long-Term Sick Leave:

    • If an employee is on sick leave for more than 6 weeks, the employer has the right to terminate the employee's employment, as permitted by Turkish labor laws.


These regulations ensure that employees are supported during periods of illness while also providing clarity regarding the responsibilities of both employees and employers in Turkey.


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