Maternity Leave in Turkey

Pregnant employees are entitled to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave. Of this entitlement, 8 weeks must be taken before childbirth and the remaining 8 weeks after childbirth. The leave period may be extended in cases of multiple pregnancies.

During this period, employees are entitled to receive two-thirds (66.67%) of their salary. The payment is covered by the Social Security Institution (SGK), provided that at least 90 days of SGK insurance contributions have been paid within the previous 12 months, subject to the SGK contribution ceiling.

Following the postnatal 8-week leave period, employees are entitled to 1.5 hours of daily breastfeeding leave until the child reaches 1 year of age. This 1.5-hour entitlement may be taken consecutively each day.

Employees may extend their maternity leave through unpaid leave arrangements without the need to submit a medical report.

Paternity Leave

Employees are entitled to 5 days of paid paternity leave. The leave must be taken after the birth of the child.

Under Turkish law, employees are not legally entitled to extend paternity leave; however, additional leave may be granted at the employer’s discretion.

Parental Leave

There is currently no statutory parental leave entitlement under Turkish law. However, employees may still be eligible for maternity and paternity leave benefits. However, progressive companies such as SailGlobal often implement extended unpaid leave options to support work-life balance, aligning with global HR trends.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to 1 week of paid sick leave. A medical report is required to qualify for sick leave. The Social Security Institution (SGK) may provide temporary incapacity benefits based on eligibility and proper reporting procedures. Many employers choose to supplement any payment gap in accordance with company policies or collective bargaining agreements.

Sick leave may be extended; however, any extended period is generally unpaid.

Family-Related Leave

Marriage Leave

Employees are generally entitled to 3 days of paid marriage leave.

Bereavement Leave (Immediate Family)

Employees are generally entitled to 3 days of paid bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member.

Case Study: Implementing Family-Friendly Policies

A multinational firm in Istanbul reported a 20% increase in employee retention after introducing flexible leave options, demonstrating the value of exceeding legal minimums. SailGlobal’s advisory services help companies design such policies, enhancing competitiveness in talent acquisition.