Finnish employment law is strong and protects workers. Here is what your contract should include, your rights, and what to do if something goes wrong.
In Finland, an employment contract can be written or oral, but a written contract is strongly recommended. It should state your job title, duties, salary, working hours, start date, notice period, and which collective agreement applies. Most industries have a collective agreement (TES) that sets minimum wages and conditions. Your employer must give you a written summary of key terms within the first month.
Finland has no statutory minimum wage. Instead, minimum wages are set by collective agreements for each industry. Typical starting salaries range from 1800 to 2500 euros per month for entry-level positions, 2500 to 4000 euros for professionals, and higher for specialists. Salaries are paid once a month, typically on the last day of the month or a specific date. Holiday bonus (lomaraha) is usually paid in summer.
Standard working hours are 37.5 to 40 hours per week, depending on the industry and collective agreement. Overtime must be compensated at a higher rate: 50 percent extra for the first 2 hours and 100 percent after that. Many Finnish companies offer flexible working hours (liukuva työaika). Remote work is common and often negotiable.
Employees earn 2 to 2.5 days of paid holiday per month worked (24 to 30 days per year). The main holiday period is in summer (July). You are also entitled to sick leave (typically paid for the first day by the employer and then by Kela), parental leave, and in some cases study leave. Finnish public holidays (about 13 per year) are additional paid days off.
Your employer can only terminate your contract for a valid reason: either personal (serious misconduct, failure to perform) or financial/production-related (redundancy). The notice period is typically 1 to 6 months depending on your length of employment. If you are fired without valid cause, you may be entitled to compensation of 3 to 24 months salary. Contact your trade union immediately if you believe your termination is unfair.
Workplace discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, or disability is illegal in Finland. If you experience problems, contact your trade union, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (AVI), or the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman. Human trafficking and forced labour are serious crimes — if you or someone you know is affected, contact the police or the Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking.
Common mistake
Accepting work without a written contract. While oral contracts are legally valid, they make it nearly impossible to prove your agreed terms if a dispute arises.
Good to know
About 70 percent of Finnish workers are covered by a collective agreement, which guarantees minimum conditions. Even if you are not a union member, the collective agreement for your industry usually applies to you automatically.