Worker who left workplace for Friday prayer found to be in the right

In Konya, 42-year-old Mehmet Yetkin, a worker whose employment contract was terminated on the grounds that he went to Friday prayer, won both his reinstatement and discrimination lawsuits. The lawsuits filed by Yetkin, who worked at a gas station for 4 years, against his employer have once again brought the importance of the principle of equal treatment in workplaces to the agenda.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT HAD BEEN TERMINATED 

In July 2021, regarding Yetkin, who went to a mosque near his workplace for Friday prayer, the employer kept a record on the grounds that he "left the workplace without permission" and subsequently terminated his employment contract. Upon this, Yetkin applied to the Konya 1st Labor Court and filed a reinstatement lawsuit. The court ruled that Yetkin was unfairly dismissed and decided for his reinstatement.

'DISCRIMINATION COMPENSATION' DECISION 

Following the reinstatement decision, Yetkin filed a compensation lawsuit with the Konya 2nd Labor Court on the grounds that the employer's attitude constituted discrimination. The court ruled that the employer acted in violation of the principle of equal treatment in Article 5 of the Labor Law and decided that 7 thousand 160 TL in compensation be paid.

Speaking after the decision, Mehmet Yetkin reminded that discrimination in workplaces is prohibited by law and said the following:

"In an employment relationship, discrimination cannot be made based on religion, sect, or similar reasons. The court found me in the right with this mindset. I believe this decision will set a precedent. I call on my fellow workers who are in a similar situation to seek their rights."

This case has once again highlighted the obligation of employers to treat their employees equally.