Working on public holidays: how is pay calculated?
The list of national and public holidays, conditions for working on them, pay calculation, half-day holidays, holidays falling on the weekly rest day, payroll treatment and a worked example.
Days such as Ramadan and Sacrifice Feasts, 23 April or 29 October raise the same question every year for businesses that operate without a break: how much should staff working on these days be paid?
Which days?
| Day | Length |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day (1 January) | 1 day |
| National Sovereignty and Children's Day (23 April) | 1 day |
| Labour and Solidarity Day (1 May) | 1 day |
| Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (19 May) | 1 day |
| Democracy and National Unity Day (15 July) | 1 day |
| Victory Day (30 August) | 1 day |
| Republic Day | Afternoon of 28 October and 29 October (1.5 days) |
| Ramadan Feast (Eid al-Fitr) | Afternoon of the eve and 3 days (3.5 days) |
| Sacrifice Feast (Eid al-Adha) | Afternoon of the eve and 4 days (4.5 days) |
The dates of religious holidays change every year. You can see this year's and future years' dates in our calendar. "Bridge" days announced as administrative leave are for public bodies; in the private sector they are not public holidays.
The decision to work
Whether work is done on these days is agreed by collective agreement or employment contract. If the contract has no provision, the employee's consent is required to work. Obtaining consent in writing before the holiday is the safest way in terms of proof.
The pay rule
| Situation | Payable |
|---|---|
| No work done | That day's wage is paid without deduction |
| Work done | One more day's wage in addition to that day's wage |
A monthly-paid employee's monthly salary already covers these days; if they work, an extra day's wage is added for each day.
Example
An employee with a monthly gross salary of TRY 39,000 worked on the 4 days of the Sacrifice Feast and on the afternoon of the eve.
| Calculation | Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily wage | 39,000 ÷ 30 | TRY 1,300.00 |
| Public holiday worked | 4 full + 1 half day | 4.5 days |
| Additional payment (gross) | 1,300 × 4.5 | TRY 5,850.00 |
For that month the employee receives the normal monthly salary (TRY 39,000) plus TRY 5,850 public holiday pay. If daily work on holiday days exceeded 7.5 hours, the excess is assessed separately under the overtime rules: Overtime pay
Frequently asked questions
What if a holiday falls on the weekly rest day? If a public holiday on which no work is done falls on a Sunday, no extra pay is due; weekly rest day pay is already included in the monthly salary.
What if a holiday falls during annual leave? National holidays, weekly rest days and public holidays falling within the leave are not counted as leave days; the leave is extended by these days: Annual leave
An employee on sick leave during the holiday? SGK allowance is paid during the sick leave; the employer does not pay public holiday pay in addition.
Shift and part-time employees? The same rule applies; a part-time employee's daily wage is calculated according to working time.
Payroll and records
- Show public holiday pay as a separate item on the payroll.
- Keep the consents to work and the holiday timesheets.
- Public holiday pay is subject to SGK premiums, income tax and stamp duty.
Calculators: Salary calculator · Working days calculator
Our related service: Weekly rest and holiday work
Legal basis: Labour Law No. 4857 arts. 44 and 47; Law No. 2429 on National Holidays and Public Holidays.