I live in Singapore, one of the most developed economies, an island state characterized by its order, cleanliness and strict rules. Singaporeans are hard workers who earn good salaries and indulge themselves by gourmet dinners, exotic travel and branded products. Shopping is the most enjoyable pastime.  From the very many …

Turkey’s unemployment rate fell to 9.9 percent in April. That is good news. The government’s long-term target is 5 percent. To realize this, there will be some changes in the legal framework shaping the labor market. The first attempt might be to introduce an “easy fire, easy hire’’ approach in …

The Turkish government’s plans to sharply reduce severance payments in a bid to increase firms’ competitiveness has sparked debate even before related legislation is officially launched. The new planned system seems to disfavor employees, some say. A radical cut in severance payments, one of the main reforms expected as part …

A rising demand for employees in Turkey indicates that the global economic crisis is having less and less of an impact on the country’s economy, according to the chairman of a prominent career website. “The crisis [effects] have diminished and the [need for] employees has risen,” Okan Tütüncü, the general …

Think about sexual harassment. It’s not done. And yet until not that long ago it was something that was done flagrantly – and constantly – with a wink and a nod. It still happens, but less, and public perception has changed.   Yet in the United States, workplace bullying has …

How do you plan your social calendar especially in the hectic summer days of Istanbul? There are so many concerts and summer parties going on in different parts of the city. Summer branches of restaurants seem too many to choose from. When I lived in Istanbul, I always needed friends’ …

One of the most effective ways of communicating in social media is blogging. It is the fastest and easiest way of self-publishing. You don’t need an editor, photographer or publisher. You are in control of every aspect of communicating your ideas.  You are the one featuring stories, taking photos, visiting …

Who is not entitled to employment security? * Employees who have worked for the employer for less than 6 months,       * Employees who are employed at a workplace with less than 30 employees,       * Employees with a fixed term employment contract, * Employer representatives The above …

HR Excellence Awards 2011 – Best HR strategy from overseas: TurkcellIn 2010, Turkcell, the leading operator of mobile communications and technology in Turkey, changed its employee proposition to ‘I have much more in Turkcell’ to underpin its new customer positioning, ‘More life with Turkcell’. As part of the strategy, the …

Women in Turkey are happier than men, according to recent data that has contradicted academics’ opinions that argue the report is a manipulation tool that only proves people are happy about Turkish policies. According to a study called “Women in Statistics,” while 53 percent of women are happy, 51 percent …