This section covers general information about working life in Finland.
Employment Relationship
An employment relationship exists between an employee and an employer. The employment relationship can be either temporary or permanent.
A temporary employment relationship has a start date and an end date. Permanent employment relationships only have a start date. A temporary employment relationship must have a reason or basis. For example, the work may be part of a project.
Collective Agreement
In Finland, the law governs some aspects of working life, but not everything. A large part of working life is governed by collective agreements.
A collective agreement is an agreement made between trade unions and employers’ associations. It specifies things such as salary. Finland does not have a law on minimum wage, so the salary is determined by the collective agreement. The collective agreement also specifies things like vacation and working hours.
Almost every industry has its own collective agreement. When you start a new job, ask what collective agreement is used at your workplace.
Trade Union and Unemployment Fund
A large number of Finns are members of a trade union. There are different trade unions for various industries.
Trade unions provide, for example, information about your collective agreement. They also offer help and advice on other working life matters.
Trade unions have their own unemployment funds. If a member of a trade union’s unemployment fund becomes unemployed, they can receive earnings-related unemployment benefits. These benefits are usually higher than the unemployment benefits from Kela (Finnish social insurance). The amount of earnings-related unemployment benefits depends on the previous salary.
There are also unemployment funds that are not part of a trade union. If you belong to an unemployment fund that is not part of a trade union, you can still receive earnings-related unemployment benefits from there.
Employment Contract
When you get a job, it is always a good idea to have a written employment contract.
The employment contract should specify the job description, workplace, duration of employment, the collective agreement used, the probation period, salary, working hours, vacations, and notice period.
The probation period is at the beginning of the employment relationship. During the probation period, you can terminate the employment relationship immediately if you wish. The employer can also terminate the employment relationship during the probation period.
After the probation period, the employment relationship can be terminated by giving notice. Either the employee or the employer can give notice. The notice period is the time that the employment relationship continues after the notice is given. For example, the employee may have a two-week notice period. This means that they must continue working for two weeks after they have resigned.
Temporary employment relationships often do not have a notice period. In these cases, the employment lasts until the end date.
Useful Links
Labor Laws and Agreements
Diversity Allowed – Information About Working Life for Immigrants
A plain language website with information about employment relationships and working conditions in Finland. The website also provides other information about Finnish working life.
Vilma – Information About Finnish Society and Working Life
Collective Agreements on Finlex
The Finlex service lists all generally binding collective agreements.
Trade Union Lists
SAK’s Trade Unions
The trade unions that belong to SAK.
STTK’s Trade Unions
The trade unions that belong to STTK.
Akava’s Trade Unions
The trade unions that belong to Akava.