Turkiye formally recognises hybrid working model

Turkiye has officially recognized the hybrid working model, allowing employees to divide their work time between the office and home locations, as announced in a decree published on Friday. The amendment, published in the Official Gazette, integrated the hybrid work model into the country's labor legislation by updating Article 9 of the Remote Working Regulation, first introduced in March 2021.

The hybrid work model, which has been commonly practiced since the COVID-19 pandemic, lacked a clear legal definition within Turkish labor law until now.

Under the new regulations, employers and employees can mutually agree to a hybrid working arrangement. Employment contracts must specify the days employees will work at the office and those they'll work remotely, along with their daily working hours. This change provides a formal contractual basis for hybrid work, which merges workplace-based and remote working rather than mandating employees to work entirely from one location.

The regulatory change reflects the government's growing emphasis on more flexible working arrangements. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek recently highlighted the government's consideration of more flexible work models, particularly for young people who are neither in education nor employment. Şimşek stated, "For these categories, a more flexible working model is in Türkiye’s interest."

The minister had previously expressed the government's intention to further develop flexible and remote-working models in the public sector. Flexible working was also incorporated into the government's Medium-Term Program for 2027-2029, aiming to develop work arrangements that prioritize work-life balance and employee productivity.

This includes adjustments to working days and the introduction of flexible-duration employment models. Hybrid work is an employment model where employees split their work time between a physical workplace and a remote location.