Job sectors are divided into different segments, primarily public (government) and private. Citizens employed by government institutions are classified as public personnel, commonly referred to as civil servants. Those working in state-run organizations enjoy different rights and benefits compared with employees in the private sector. For example, basic aspects such as starting salaries and holiday schedules are usually more structured and predictable in government positions. Payroll calculations, annual adjustments, and payment schedules are carried out regularly in public institutions. Working hours are also well-defined: employees typically begin work at a fixed time each morning and finish at a set time in the evening.
However, civil servants may sometimes be required to stay longer than standard hours due to work demands. When duties extend beyond normal hours because a task must be completed that day, this additional work is referred to as overtime. Civil servants who work beyond regular hours are entitled to extra pay for the additional time. How much is paid and how the payment is calculated are addressed in the section below.
How Much Are Civil Servant Overtime Payments?
No institution has the right to force employees to work extra hours without compensating them accordingly. Workers must receive additional pay for any work performed outside normal hours. This additional compensation, known as overtime pay, ensures employees are fairly compensated for extra work and reduces reluctance to work beyond regular hours. Overtime pay for civil servants is calculated according to the specific roles and duties of each employee. In 2017, overtime payment calculations were adjusted with certain increases.
According to the 2017 Central Government Budget Draft and related evaluations, hourly overtime rates were updated. With the start of the new year, a 5.2% increase was applied. In 2016, the hourly overtime rate was 1.74 TL; it was adjusted to 1.83 TL per hour in 2017. Nevertheless, overtime rates are not identical across all public offices. For example, an additional hour of work in certain ministerial directorates was compensated at 1.93 TL per hour. Monthly cumulative overtime should not exceed 450 hours for any office. These amounts are determined in line with the state budget and must be monitored carefully.
Under applicable laws, civil servant overtime pay and daily allowances are reviewed and allocated annually. In addition to overtime, domestic per diem allowances were finalized under the Allowances Law. For 2017, the allocation for the Speaker of the Assembly and the Prime Minister was set at 63 TL per day. Domestic per diems for other high-ranking officials—such as the President of the Constitutional Court, the Chief Public Prosecutor of the Council of State, the Undersecretary of the Prime Ministry, members of the Court of Cassation, and four-star generals—were set at 57.50 TL. At the lowest level, a civil servant’s daily allowance increased from 34.18 TL to 36.25 TL with the new year.