On-Call Work Under Turkish Labour Law: Compliance For Employers

On-call work under Turkish Labour Law is a form of part-time employment where employees work only when needed. Contracts must be in writing, calls should be made in advance, and minimum working-hour rules apply. On-call employees are entitled to annual leave, holiday pay, proportional benefits, and severance pay. However, legal gaps and practical uncertainties may expose employers to disputes and reclassification risks.

Introduction

Recent changes in labour market needs have led to the emergence of different employment models. On-call work is one of these atypical employment models.¹ This employment model allows employers to call on employees only when needed, therefore eliminating the obligation to maintain a permanent workforce. Under Turkish law, on-call work is recognized as a specific type of part-time employment. However, in practice, various issues related to this type of employment are not regulated in Turkish Labour Law (“Law”) or the relevant secondary legislation. This