Evidentiary Value And Probative Weight Of PATS Records

Personnel Attendance Tracking System (“PATS”) records refer to electronic or digital workplace records used by employers to monitor and record matters such as employees’ entry and exit times, working hours, overtime, leave periods, absenteeism, and similar employment-related data.

With the integration of technological developments into working life, the question of whether PATS records, which constitute technical data, may be accepted as evidence particularly in employment law proceedings has become increasingly significant. In this context, the fact that such systems are established and controlled by the employer has also raised discussions regarding the impartiality and reliability of these records. As a general rule, PATS records are considered private documents unilaterally created by the employer and, within the scope of the Turkish Code of Civil Procedure (“CPC”), they are considered evidence subject to the court's discretionary assessment.