Türkiye: The Circular on Prevention of Psychological Harassment (Mobbing) in Workplaces has been Published

Authors: Ipek Unlu Tik and A. Kaan Baser

The Circular on Prevention of Psychological Harassment (Mobbing) in Workplaces has been published in the Official Gazette dated 6 March 2025, numbered 32833, aiming to further prevent mobbing, which may occur in workplaces

The Circular states that it aims prevent to psychological harassment, which is manifested by intentional and systematic humiliation, belittling, exclusion, ill-treatment, and intimidation in the workplace in order to increase employee motivation and social welfare and to provide an inclusive, sustainable and productive working environment.

Statements within the Circular are as follows:

• The Board for Combating Psychological Harassment (the “Board”), which was envisaged to be established within the scope of the Prime Ministry Circular No. 2011/2 published in the Official Gazette dated 19.03.2011 and numbered 27879, has been re-established. The Board is envisaged to be composed of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Ethics Committee of Public Officials, the relevant units of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, representatives of the confederations of workers, employers and public officials, and academicians who are experts in the field of psychological harassment.
• The Board is expected to play an active role in the formulation of nationwide policies, training, and research activities and public awareness-raising activities.
• Prior to the Circular, employees could apply to ALO 170 (Social Security Institution’s Communication Centre) or the Ministry of Labour and Social Security about psychological harassment they were subjected to at their workplaces. In accordance with the Circular, the new regulation makes it possible for employees to apply to more than one institution other than the Ministry, such as CIMER (Presidential Communication Centre), the Parliamentary Petitions Commission, the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey, and the Ombudsman’s Office.
• The Circular states that the primary responsibility in the process of combating psychological harassment in the workplace belongs to employers and managers, and that all kinds of risks that may arise due to mobbing and mobbing in the workplace should be observed, preventive measures should be taken and protective policies should be established.
• It was emphasised that in the process of investigating mobbing allegations, the issues of ensuring confidentiality, protecting personal privacy and preventing damage to the reputation of the institution should be meticulously observed.
• The Circular also draws attention to the inclusion of provisions preventing and protecting psychological harassment in collective labour agreements and collective agreements.

Key Points

• The Circular on Prevention of Psychological Harassment (Mobbing) in Workplaces has been published.
• The Circular reminds that the primary responsibility of combating psychological harassment in the workplace belongs to employers and managers.
• The Board for Combating Psychological Harassment, which was initially envisaged  in 2011, has been re-established.