The third session of the "Decent Work - Young Perspective Series," organized by the International Law and Human Rights Implementation and Research Center (UHAM) of Ibn Haldun University, was held online on September 14, 2026.
The session titled "Termination of Employment Contract Due to Employee's Freedom of Religion in the Axis of Decent Work and Fundamental Rights" was moderated by Res. Asst. Abdülmecit Güldağı from Ibn Haldun University Faculty of Law, with Res. Asst. Münevver Temir from Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Faculty of Law participating as the speaker.
During the event, potential conflicts between an employee's religious beliefs and an employer's management rights and operational interests were broadly addressed. Issues such as the use of religious symbols in the workplace, prayer breaks, and non-performance of duties were examined within the framework of precedent decisions from the ECHR, the Turkish Court of Cassation, and German labor law.
The event, which detailed systematic evaluation criteria (the nature of the religious need, the possibility of time adjustment, timely notification, organizational flexibility, and the presence of concrete proof and alternative solutions), concluded by emphasizing that the termination of an employment contract must always be a last resort (ultima ratio). It highlighted the importance of establishing a fair balance, proportionality, the requirement of concrete proof, and offering alternative assignment opportunities to the employee in resolving disputes. The program was made available to viewers on UHAM's YouTube channel.
For those who missed the event and wish to watch it again: Termination of Employment Contract Due to Employee's Freedom of Religion in the Axis of Decent Work and Fundamental Rights.
