Job Discussion Forums

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

A question about contracts here: I was told that mine is a "standard Milli Eğitim" one, but it says nothing about how many hours I'm contracted to work for per week for the salary agreed.
Also, the contract says nothing about having to work summer school, which is after the MEB school year finishes, so is it legal for the school to try and make us foreigners and 1 Turkish member of staff work at summer school for no extra pay? How do I find out?
Thanks in advance for any feedback
(I've also posted this on Facebook)

billy orr · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 229

Does the contract state anywhere how much annual leave you are entitled to? It may be limited to 30 days or even less in the first year of work. That way they may expect you to work as they require the rest of the time.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

Thanks for replying.
Trouble is, the contract says nothing at all. It's a complicated situation in which a gentleman's agreement is now being abused.
More fool us Shocked

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

Welcome to Turkey! The standard contract, with no specification, is actually limited to 30 hours per week. Was the contract in Turkish or English? Is Summer School is not specified, it's true that they may make you work up to the limit of the holiday period.

delal · Joined: 04 Oct 2005 Posts: 251 Location: N Turkey

If there's a 30 hr week, is there actually a specified amount of holiday that goes with that by any chance?

Nebbich · Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Turkey

Yes, there's a legal minimum holiday. 30 days, I believe...are you at a school or university? You could try the Istanbul Blacklist on Facebook for a more immediate response from many others.

Lev · Joined: 24 Jul 2013 Posts: 23

If he's saying the contract is a standard Milli Eğitim one, I'm guessing it's a school rather than uni? If so, not sure how that might differ from uni but...

AFAIK, there is no legal 30 day minimum holiday. For YOK at least, I believe we are bound by the standard Turkish labour laws - no entitlement in the first year, 14 days from 1-5 years, 20 from 5+ -15 and 26 thereafter (http://turkishlaborlaw.com/turkish-labor-law-no-4857/19-4857-labor-law-english-by-article#56)

You might find something re working hours there too, which should be applicable unless your contract states otherwise.

As far as summer school, I'd guess that falls within your contacted year of work (even if that's not part of the standard academic calendar), most places I know consider it so and therefore don't pay teachers extra for summer school.

Do you think HR would be any help in clearing up contractual issues? I know some places also have job descriptions (not always signed or even seen by employees) which can be binding...