What is the Right to Annual Paid Leave? A Guide for Employees
The right to annual paid leave is a fundamental right that has an important place in employees’ business life. This right is designed to protect employees’ rest, renewal and psychological health. Here is what you need to know about the right to annual paid leave:
What is the Right to Annual Paid Leave?
Definition: Annual paid leave is a right that allows employees to leave work for a certain period of time during their employment at the workplace and to be paid their salaries during this period.
Objective: This leave is designed to meet the physical and mental rest needs of employees, increase work efficiency and provide work-life balance.
Annual Paid Leave Duration
Legal Periods: The annual paid leave duration in Turkey varies according to the employee’s seniority:
Employees between 1-5 years: 14 days per year.
Employees between 5-15 years: 20 days per year.
Employees over 15 years: 26 days per year.
Example: If A has been working at a company for 6 years, the annual leave duration will be 20 days.
Use of Leave Rights
Leave Planning: Annual leave rights must be used by mutual agreement between the employer and the employee. The employer can plan the leave dates by taking into account the needs of the business.
Time of Leave Use: Employees can use their annual leave whenever they want. However, their leave requests must be notified to the employer.
Example: If B wants to take leave during the summer vacation, he/she must inform the employer of this request in advance.
Payment of Leave Fee
Calculation of Wage: During the annual paid leave period, employees are paid their normal wages. The leave period does not affect a portion of the employee’s wage.
Example: When C takes 10 days of annual leave, he/she will receive 10 days of salary during this period.
Transfer of Leave Rights
Non-transferable: Annual leave rights cannot be transferred if they are not used within a year. However, if the employee’s leave is not used before the end of the employment contract, it is taken into account in the calculation of severance pay.
Example: If D has not used 5 days of his/her annual leave, he/she can request payment for these 5 days when he/she leaves the job.
Annual Leave and Working Period
Calculation: The right to annual leave is directly proportional to the employee’s length of service. Each year of work at a workplace increases the right to annual leave.
Example: E can take 14 days of annual leave after working in the same job for 3 years, and this period will increase to 20 days after 6 years.
Extension of Leave Period
Health Status: The employee’s health condition may require an extension of the leave period. The workplace must evaluate this with the relevant health report.
Example: F can extend his leave by obtaining a doctor’s report when he becomes ill.
Working During the Leave Period
Violation of the Right to Leave: Working during the annual leave period means a violation of the right to leave and this situation is against the employment contract. Employees should not work during the period they are on leave.
Example: If G continues to work at the workplace on the days he is on leave, this situation may negatively affect his relationship with his employer.
Needs Regarding the Right to Annual Leave
Leave Request: When requesting annual leave, employees must apply to the employer in writing or by e-mail. The employer can evaluate the leave request and approve or reject it.
Example: When H submits his leave request in writing to his manager, if the manager finds the request appropriate, the leave will be granted.
The right to annual paid leave is of critical importance in meeting the rest and renewal needs of employees. It is beneficial for employees to know these rights and use them when necessary, both for their personal health and work efficiency. Regular and correct use of leave rights helps to maintain balance in business life. It is important for employees to keep their information about their annual leave rights up to date in order to prevent potential problems.
