What is "Decent Work and Economic Growth"?
Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all is a core pillar of the Sustainable Development Goals. Globally, advancements in labour rights, workplace protections, and equitable compensation have strengthened social and economic resilience, yet significant gaps remain—particularly in ensuring safe working environments, fair wages, equal opportunities for women, and full respect for union and labour rights. As higher education institutions play a crucial role in shaping future labour markets, universities are expected to model ethical employment practices, foster skills development, and uphold international labour standards within their own communities.
Yeditepe University upholds these principles through comprehensive labour policies, institutional frameworks, and strong compliance with national legislation. With a workforce of 4,132 employees and 1,036 academic staff, the University maintains fair compensation structures that meet or exceed the requirements of Turkish Labour Law No. 4857. Salaries, benefits, and employment conditions are regularly reviewed by the Human Resources Department to ensure alignment with inflation, cost of living, and professional qualifications, guaranteeing that all employees receive at least the legal living wage and work under equitable conditions.
The University recognises the full labour rights of academic, administrative, female, and international staff in accordance with Article 51 of the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye and Law No. 6356 on Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining Agreements, affirming every employee’s freedom of association and right to collective bargaining. Yeditepe’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy further strengthens workplace protections by explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on gender, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, while the EDI Committee monitors implementation, provides training, and supports individuals seeking assistance.
Yeditepe University also upholds ethical employment practices against forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour, following national legislation and international labour principles. Outsourced service providers are required to comply fully with Labour Law No. 4857 and Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331, ensuring that contractors, cleaning staff, catering workers, and security personnel receive the same protections regarding wages, insurance, and safe working conditions as University employees.
Supporting fair and transparent career progression, the University implements a Gender Equality Action Plan (GEP) aligned with SDG 8, which includes annual monitoring of gender‐based data on recruitment, promotion, and retention. Yeditepe systematically tracks gender pay-scale equity and publishes gender statistics through the “YTU Gender & Data Statistics” portal. In 2024, the University graduated 3,103 students, including 1,817 women, with women representing significant shares of graduates in STEM (305), Medicine (483), and Arts & Humanities/Social Sciences (1,029). These data-driven insights ensure that gender disparities are identified and addressed through targeted actions.
Employees are supported through clear and lawful internal and external appeal mechanisms, including CİMER (Presidency Communication Center), the General Secretariat, and Rectorate-level petitions. Regular employee satisfaction surveys strengthen transparency and continuous improvement in workplace relations. Yeditepe also provides secure employment structures: 3,264 employees work on contracts exceeding 24 months, reflecting institutional stability.
Work-based learning is another priority under SDG 8. With 1,766 students completing work placements longer than one month, Yeditepe integrates practical training and sectoral engagement into academic programmes, supporting employability and inclusive economic growth.
Through its comprehensive policies, transparent practices, and strong alignment with national and international labour standards, Yeditepe University demonstrates a sustained commitment to decent work, fair employment, and equitable economic development for its entire community.
