Unpaid leave

Unpaid leave is a period during which the employment contract is suspended and the employee stays away from work without wages. The mutual duties to work and to pay are paused, while the relationship itself continues.

Turkish law grants unpaid leave as an entitlement only in specific cases, chiefly post-maternity leave upon request and travel leave connected to annual holidays. Outside these, unpaid leave requires the express agreement of both parties. Placing an employee on unpaid leave unilaterally is treated by the courts as a dismissal, entitling the employee to termination rights.

The suspension period is in principle not counted toward seniority-based entitlements, and long-term insurance premiums are not paid during it. Extended leaves lacking written consent are a typical source of disputes.