Termination prohibition, unilateral unpaid leave and short-time working allowance extended once again

Introduction
Extension of termination prohibition and unilateral unpaid leave
Extension of short-time working allowance

Introduction

Pursuant to two presidential decrees published in the Official Gazette (31287) on 27 October 2020:

• the termination prohibition and unilateral unpaid leave, which were to expire by 17 November 2020, have been extended until 17 January 2021; and
• the short-time working allowance granted due to COVID-19 has been extended until 31 December 2020.

Extension of termination prohibition and unilateral unpaid leave

Pursuant to Presidential Decree 3135, published in the Official Gazette (31287) on 27 October 2020, the termination prohibition and unilateral unpaid leave, which were to expire by 17 November 2020, have been extended for a further two months as of 17 November 2020.

However, the president can extend the termination prohibition until 30 June 2021, for a maximum of three months per extension.

Extension of short-time working allowance

Presidential Decree 3134, published in the Official Gazette (31287) on 27 October 2020, provides that payment of the short-time working allowance for employers that applied for short-time working on grounds of compelling reasons due to COVID-19 by 30 June 2020 (inclusive) has been extended for two further months.

Accordingly, at the time of writing, employers that fulfil the abovementioned requirements can benefit from the short-time working allowance until 31 December 2020 (inclusive).

For further information on this topic please contact Beril Yayla Sapan or Asena Aytuğ Keser at Gün + Partners by telephone (+90 212 354 00 00) or email (beril.yayla@gun.av.tr or asena.keser@gun.av.tr). The Gün + Partners website can be accessed at www.gun.av.tr.

Kardelen Özden, legal trainee, assisted in the preparation of this article.